Between the 17th and early 19th centuries, travel played an essential role in the rediscovery of medieval art. Cultured men from all over Europe visited Mediterranean countries to see Greek and Roman monuments, but they were often confronted with artefacts and buildings from later centuries. How did
they perceive medieval monuments that fell before their eyes while they were in search of classical antiquities? What terms did they use to describe them? What interpretative categories did they adopt to define them? What aesthetic or historical opinions they had on the Middle Ages in comparison with Antiquity, which was the main goal of their journey?
This conference wishes to examine the different attitudes towards medieval heritage in authors who were prepared to study Antiquity and verify their impact on the development of a new discipline specifically dedicated to the History of Medieval Art, as it appeared in Europe from 1820’s onward.
Deadline for proposals: 15 March 2023
Conference dates: 20-21 November 2023
Where: University of Naples Federico II
Applicants are kindly requested to send a title and an abstract (max 300 words), together with a short curriculum vitæ, to the e-mail address: diomedaconference2023@gmail.com. Proposals will be evaluated, and the applicants will receive an answer by mid-April 2023. The organization will cover coffee/lunch breaks. Travel and accommodation will be at the charge of the participants.
For more information, click here.
Medieval Art Research 