Imaging and Mapping Eastern Europe: Sarmatia Europea to Post-Communist Bloc

Imaging and Mapping Eastern Europe explores the visual representation of Eastern Europe, from Renaissance maps to contemporary photographs, examining the ways in which images shape the region's socio-political and cultural identity. It discusses the relationship between word and image, the overlap between othering and self-fashioning, and the diverse modes of production in cartography, travel illustrations, caricature, and book cover design.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 236 pages
Publication date: 29 January 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Imaging and Mapping Eastern Europe takes a prominent position in the realm of visual representation, emphasizing the agency of the visual in shaping the perception and understanding of Eastern Europe as a socio-political and cultural entity. This comprehensive work delves into the intricate processes of mapping and visualizing Eastern Europe, exploring the discontinuous threads that connect these endeavors.

Beginning with Renaissance maps of Sarmatia Europea, the book traverses a historical journey, examining the representations of Eastern Europe throughout different eras. It encompasses a range of visual materials, including images of women in ethnic dress featured in travelogues from the Balkans, satirical cartoons depicting children bullied by dictators in the satirical press, Cold War cartography, and contemporary photographs of protesting crowds on dust jackets.

By studying the eastern European 'iconosphere,' the book engages with fundamental issues central to image studies and visual culture. It explores the complex interplay between words and images, investigates the overlaps between the codes of othering and self-fashioning, and examines the dynamic interactions between diverse modes of production associated with cartography, travel illustrations, caricature, and book cover design.

This book holds significant appeal to scholars engaged in art history, visual culture, as well as in the fields of Central Asian, Russian, and Eastern European studies. It offers a rich and multifaceted perspective on the visual representation of Eastern Europe, shedding light on the ways in which images have contributed to the construction of its identity and the broader socio-political context in which it operates. Through its comprehensive analysis and thoughtful exploration, Imaging and Mapping Eastern Europe provides valuable insights into the power of visual imagery in shaping our understanding of the world.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032003610