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Full-Text Articles in Ancient, Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque Art and Architecture

Invites Only: Exploring Social Dynamics And Self-Image Through Oil Paint, Mara Cressey Jan 2024

Invites Only: Exploring Social Dynamics And Self-Image Through Oil Paint, Mara Cressey

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

My thesis work depicts the events of a fictional party. Using oil paint, I create multi-figure works that feature recurring characters, various narratives, complex relationships, and emotions associated with this fictitious evening. Within this painted realm, I portray a more confident, powerful version of myself; an alter ego, who exists alongside these various characters. Drawing inspiration from compositional strategies from Renaissance art history and Christian altarpieces, I paint on large-scale, shaped canvas and paper to suggest doors, windows, and other domestic, interior spaces. Additionally, these shapes allow me to juxtapose suggestions of prominence and divinity with satire, irreverence, and profanity. …


Ritual, Spectacle, And Theatre In Late Medieval Seville (Chapter 1), Christopher B. Swift Jan 2023

Ritual, Spectacle, And Theatre In Late Medieval Seville (Chapter 1), Christopher B. Swift

Publications and Research

From the fall of Islamic Išbīliya in 1248 to the conquest of the New World, Seville was a nexus of economic and religious power where interconfessional living among Christians, Jews, and Muslims was negotiated on public stages. From out of seemingly irreconcilable ideologies of faith, hybrid performance culture emerged in spectacles of miraculous transformation, disciplinary processionals, and representations of religious identity. Ritual, Spectacle, and Theatre in Late Medieval Seville reinvigorates the study of medieval Iberian theater by revealing the ways in which public expressions of devotion, penance, and power fostered cultural reciprocity, rehearsed religious difference, and ultimately helped establish Seville …


The Vienna Genesis And The Evolution Of Christian Book Illumination, Samantha Castro Dec 2021

The Vienna Genesis And The Evolution Of Christian Book Illumination, Samantha Castro

BYZANTIUM: Trade, Treasure, Tradition

In this essay, I argue that the Vienna Genesis influenced future Christian manuscripts by pushing the idea that higher status and holiness were linked. The Vienna Genesis' expensive creation and classically-influenced illustrations, which were seen by some as conspicuous, would be imitated by the Paris Psalter, only differentiating in the subject matter. The Melisende Psalter would take a turn in its style, mimicking Byzantine icons rather than classical works, but it continued the high-cost production and ruler-appealing narrative of King David. And unlike the other two, the Melisende Psalter cements the initial bias, with signs hinting at possible royal/imperial ownership.


"The Christ Chosen Emperor": Representation Of Emperors As Divine Figures In Byzantine Art, Aly Hutchinson Dec 2021

"The Christ Chosen Emperor": Representation Of Emperors As Divine Figures In Byzantine Art, Aly Hutchinson

BYZANTIUM: Trade, Treasure, Tradition

The concept of power has been evident throughout Byzantine culture, whether in its aristocratic and bureaucratic politics, textiles, architecture, or minted coinage. Consequently, the arts were frequently utilized to represent imperial and religious power with various renderings of symbols, colors, and icons. In addition, images portrayed significant visual and spiritual value as the viewers looked to them for knowledge, guidance, and prayer. The ruling emperors were held in high regard, and imperial families were dominant over Byzantine society. The emperor was created in God's image, given the responsibility to rule on earth and carry out the ten commandments. This essay …


Sacred Blood And Burning Coal: The Garnet Carbuncle In Early Medieval Europe, Sinead L. Murphy May 2020

Sacred Blood And Burning Coal: The Garnet Carbuncle In Early Medieval Europe, Sinead L. Murphy

Theses and Dissertations

The social and religious symbolism of garnets are examined in the context of the Merovingian period. Garnet jewelry was worn by early medieval Christians as symbols of their faith, and after death garnets took on additional religious significance.


A Fearsome Beauty: Material And Cultural Exchange Between Venice And The Islamic Near East, Tahera H. Tajbhai May 2016

A Fearsome Beauty: Material And Cultural Exchange Between Venice And The Islamic Near East, Tahera H. Tajbhai

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis will explore the relationship between Venice and the Islamic Near East. By examining works from various media, this paper argues that Venetians viewed the Islamic Near East as being ‘awesome,’ and that this view was twofold, as Venetians were both enamored with and fearful of this rising power.


Tundale’S Vision: Socialization In 12th Century Ireland, Michael W. Deike May 2014

Tundale’S Vision: Socialization In 12th Century Ireland, Michael W. Deike

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The purpose of this project is to explore the historical image of Hell in Medieval Europe as an agent of socialization for illiterate Christian communities. The project focuses on a literary work, Tundale’s Vision, written in 1149 C.E in Cashel, Ireland. Tundale’s Vision came from a genre of vision literature derived from popular oracular folk tradition surrounding the image of Hell that served the purpose of socializing Christian communities to certain social norms and stigmas presented by the author. Vision literature would be used by preachers in vernacular sermons throughout the Medieval period in order to reinforce moral and social …


8. The Gothic Cathedral, Robert L. Bloom, Basil L. Crapster, Harold A. Dunkelberger, Charles H. Glatfelter, Richard T. Mara, Norman E. Richardson, W. Richard Schubart Jan 1958

8. The Gothic Cathedral, Robert L. Bloom, Basil L. Crapster, Harold A. Dunkelberger, Charles H. Glatfelter, Richard T. Mara, Norman E. Richardson, W. Richard Schubart

Section III: The Medieval Church

The Gothic cathedral, like the Summa of Aquinas, the University of Paris, and the Christendom of Innocent III, stands as one of the major expressions of the spirit of the High Middle Ages. The word "Gothic," coined by the Renaissance as a term of disparagement, has come recently to have more favorable and appreciative connotations. Such a reevaluation may be due not only to the better perspective that a longer period of time offers us, but also to a deeper understanding of the cultural role of artistic and spiritual symbolism. The artistic expression of the Middle Ages found its supreme …