People in the 14th century experienced a series of overwhelming climatic, societal, economic and cultural changes. But what were the exact interconnections between these events? A conference next winter aims to focus on this question.
Category: Medieval Histories
‘Medieval Histories’ offers medievalists all the news about exhibitions, books, research, archaeology, travel-tips and much more from the Medieval World
Late Medieval Swabian Sculpture in Paris at Musée de Cluny
Sweet, delicate, gentle and just some of the epithets clinging to the current exhibition of late medieval Swabian sculpture at Musée de Cluny in Paris this summer
Women in the Medieval Monastic World
The great contributions made by women to the religious life of the Middle Ages are attracting increasing attention. New book focuses on female monasticism
Early Medieval Practices of Reading and Writing
'Early Medieval Practices of Reading and Writing' is a conference on the subject of books, practices of writing, reading, copying and studying in the early middle ages.
Models in Medieval Book Painting
Medieval illuminators used a variety of models and prototypes when designing new books. New book presents new research into this form of artistic borrowing
Artistic Patterns in Late Medieval Manuscripts
Medieval Artists worked with artistic patterns, which were continuously collected and transmitted. In 2012 a major conference focused on the phenomena. The transactions were recently published
Sainte-Chapelle Shines Again
It took seven years to restore the glorious windows of the Sainte-Chapelle and cost €9.5 mill. Now they shine in all their former glory
Sainte-Chapelle was commisoned by Saint Louis after he had bought a number of very important relics stemming from the Passion of Christ from the Byzantine emperor. Especially important was the Crown of Thorns, which arrived in Paris in 1239. When the royal chapel was consecrated in 1248, it appeared the architect had succeeded in creating a veritable jewel-box to hold this very precious relic. Part of this aura was due to the magnificent glass paintings, which seemed to soar into the sky.
With more than 750 m2 and 1113 scenes they still tell the story of the chosen people. The cycle starts at the western bay of the north wall with scenes from the Book of Genesis. The next ten windows of the nave follow clockwise with scenes from Exodus, Joseph, Numbers/Leviticus, Joshua/Deuteronomy, Judges, (moving to the south wall) Jeremiah/Tobias, Judith/Job, Esther, David and the Book of Kings. The final window, occupying the westernmost bay of the south wall brings this narrative of sacral kingship right up to date with a series of scenes showing the rediscovery of Christ’s relics, the miracles they performed, and their relocation to Paris in the hands of King Louis himself. In the apse windows feature scenes from the Infancy, Life of John the Baptist and the Passion. The overall message is to exalt the ideal of kingship.
It stands to reason that these paintings were harmed, changed, restored and mixed anew during the next 750 years. Not least the French Revolution caused a grievous destruction. Nevertheless, 2/3 of the windows are original.
In the 1970s, however, it was deemed necessary to restore this magnificent French monument in order to bring it back to its former glory. Finally, a few days ago, the result of the final restoration-project was unveiled to the astonishment of everyone present, who had never seen the edifice without scaffolding and partially under wraps. Indeed a glorious moment!
The primary donation to finish the restoration of the bay-windows has been made by the Danish Company: Velux, which contributed 50% of the expense. The president of the Velux foundation, Lars Khan-Rasmussen, was present at the inauguration, where he committed further funding for another French treasure, the windows at Palais d’Antin. The foundation has earlier on been active in for instance the rebuilding of the Dresden Frauenkirche and is active in a European context, whenever a restoration job touches upon the primary business of the Velux company: to bring daylight and fresh air to people. At the ceremony in Paris on the 20th of May 2015, the Velux Foundation was profusely thanked by the president of the Centre des Monuments Nationaux for its never wavering support and its exemplary way of supporting such a complicated project.
SOURCES:
La Sainte-Chapelle comme vous ne l’avez jamais vue
Les Fondations VELUX dévoilent ce jour le nouveau visage de la Sainte-Chapelle
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La Sainte-Chapelle de Paris
By Françoise Perrot
Series : Regards
Editions du Patrimoine Centre des monuments nationaux 2013
ISBN-10: 275770270X
ISBN-13: 978-2757702703
La Sainte Chapelle Relié
By Jean-Michel Leniaud and Françoise Perrot
Series: Monographies
Editions du Patrimoine Centre des monuments nationaux 2007
ISBN-10: 2858229201
ISBN-13: 978-2858229208
Vitrail, Ve-XXIe siècle
By Véronique David and Michel Hérol
Editions du Patrimoine Centre des monuments nationaux 2013
ISBN-10: 2757703439
ISBN-13: 978-2757703434
Medieval colouring recipes of gold and gilding
In the Middle Ages goldsmiths and craftsmen possessed a number of recipes for changing the color and the hue of gold and gilded objects.
Gold and Ivory from Paris, Pisa, Firenze and Siena 1250-1320
The summer exhibition at Louvre-Lens - Gold and Ivory - highlights the wealth of artistic exchanges between Paris and what is now Tuscany 1250 -1320
The Medieval City in France
This year the International Medieval Society focuses on the medieval city in France at their annual symposium
Medieval Histories Magazine May 2015 No.15 – Read about the Cistercians
Medieval Histories Magazine May 2015, No. 15 focus on the Cistercians
New Cistercian Studies – A Handlist of Good Books
Cistercian Studies is a fruitful field inside Medieval Studies in general. Here is a list of books, which can be used as introduction.
Medieval Studies 2015 – New Catalogue from Boydell & Brewer
Medieval Studies 2015 - New Catalogue from Boydell & Brewer is published in issue
Medieval and Renaissance Studies 2015
Brepols Publishers: Medieval and Renaissance Studies 2015
This catalogue presents the 2015 programme of English titles published by Brepols inside Medieval & Renaissance Studies
Some highlights this year are:
THE MEDIEVAL COUNTRYSIDE
Peasants and Lords in the Medieval English Economy. Essays in Honour of Bruce M. S. Campbell
Crisis in the Later Middle Ages. Beyond the Postan–Duby Paradigm
Land Assessment and Lordship in Medieval Northern Scotland
Power and Rural Communities in Al-Andalus. Ideological and Material Representations
MEDIEVAL CHURCH STUDIES
Devotional Culture in Late Medieval England and Europe. Diverse Imaginations of Christ’s Life
The Secular Liturgical Office in Late Medieval England
Women in the Medieval Monastic World
Nuns’ Literacies in Medieval Europe
A Mendicant Sermon Collection from Composition to Reception
ART AND VISUAL CULTURE
Visual Constructs of Jerusalem
Catalogue of Paintings in the Collection of the Society of Antiquaries of London
Dressing the Part: Textiles as Propaganda in the Middle Ages
This is of course only a tiny selection. Do Download this catalogue with Brepols’ new and forthcoming English-language titles in Medieval & Renaissance Studies for 2015.
The Middle Ages in the Modern World
MAMO aims to explore the continued return to, and relevance of, the Middle Ages. This years conference will be held at the University of Lincoln
Maria Annunziata di Monte Sorbo
Along a small scenic route leading into the hilly countryside not far from Sarsina on the motorway between Ravenna and Citta di Castello lies a small church at Monte Sorbo. Although secluded it is well worth a detour.