A convict who played his part in this sequential drama of repentance, confession, Absolution and communion evoked the strongest feelings of compassionate identification from spectators.408 the execution and its message been a criminal and now he was very close to death, but that did not hinder his conversion and salvation.404 In the present context, though, probably what mattered most with the paintings and sculptures depicting St Dismas are those on display and thus seen in so many churches. St Dismas and the promise given to him were thereby constantly in the public eye and not far from the pious. The collection of Ernst Gottlieb Woltersdorf of stories from preparations of condemned carries a characteristic title starting with St Dismas: Der Schächer am Kreuz. Das ist, Vollständige Nachrichten von der Bekehrung und Ende hingerichteter Missethäter.405 The Gospel story could be read at executions early in the ceremony, in a role equivalent to a suitable Gospel defining the situation at for example a Baptism or a wedding.406 The concept of martyrdom in earlier periods of the history of the church provided a model that was problematic also much later for the authorities.407 The condemned suffering their painful punishments could remind the medieval populace of the passion of Christ and of martyrs undergoing pain and death – events well known through sermons, services, art, and devotion. The agony of those that had repented and showed contrition was seen as the purification from sin, while those who did not repent already tasted hell. Displayed was a fellow Christian professing her faith and then publicly executed sharing the suffering, humiliation, and expulsion endured by Christ and so many martyrs. The idea and reality of martyrdom was easy to relate to at many executions. The condemned thus became the recipient of sympathy, pity, and compassion. As Mitchell Merback notes: 404 Klapisch-Zuber 2015 p 95 sqq, 112, 321. 405 Woltersdorf 1761. ’The robber on the cross. That is comprehensive news about the conversion and demise of executed criminals.’ 406 See e g Johan Tvet: Desse4s ExecutionNordin 1398UUB. 407 Neues Hannöverisches Magazin 1800 nr 76 col 1416 sqq, Butterweck 1995 p 245 sq. 408 Merback 1999 p 19 sq, 152 (quotation p 152). 117
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