Late Byzantium Reconsidered: The Arts of the Palaiologan Era in the Mediterranean

Late Byzantium Reconsidered explores the artistic achievements of Mediterranean centers linked to the Byzantine Empire between 1261 and 1453, challenging established ideas of decline and renewal and highlighting the innovative nature of socio-cultural identities.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 226 pages
\n Publication date: 18 December 2020
\n Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd
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Late Byzantium Reconsidered presents a captivating collection of essays that delve into the artistic achievements of Mediterranean centers associated with the Byzantine Empire between 1261, when the Palaiologan dynasty reclaimed Constantinople, and the decades following 1453, when the Ottomans captured the city, signifying the end of the Empire. These centuries were marked by the ascent of socio-political elites in regions like Crete, Italy, Laconia, Serbia, and Trebizond, while sharing cultural and artistic values influenced by the Byzantine Empire, they also fostered innovative and original visual and cultural standards.

The comparative and interdisciplinary approach adopted by this volume seeks to challenge prevailing notions about the late Byzantine period, including notions of decline, renewal, and innovation. By examining specific case studies of cultural production within and outside Byzantium, the chapters in this volume emphasize the inherent innovative nature of the socio-cultural identities active in the late medieval and early modern Mediterranean in contrast to the rhetorical assumption of the cultural contraction of the Byzantine Empire.

The essays in Late Byzantium Reconsidered explore a wide range of artistic disciplines, including architecture, painting, sculpture, literature, music, and religious practices. They examine the ways in which these centers adapted and transformed Byzantine artistic traditions while also incorporating local and regional influences. The authors highlight the dynamic and multifaceted nature of late Byzantine art, which was shaped by political, social, and cultural developments, as well as by the interactions with other Mediterranean cultures.

One of the key themes of the volume is the role of the elite in shaping artistic production. The chapters explore how socio-political elites in different regions utilized art as a means to assert their power, consolidate their authority, and promote their cultural values. They examine the ways in which these elites commissioned works of art, influenced artistic styles, and promoted the appreciation of art within their communities.

Another theme is the impact of the Ottoman conquest on late Byzantine art. The chapters examine how the Ottomans influenced the artistic production of the regions they conquered, both by adopting and adapting Byzantine artistic traditions and by introducing their own cultural and artistic influences. They explore the ways in which the Ottoman Empire transformed the artistic landscape of the Mediterranean, creating new forms of artistic expression and promoting the exchange of ideas between different cultures.

The volume also emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary research in understanding the late Byzantine period. The authors draw on a range of scholarly disciplines, including art history, history, literature, and cultural studies, to provide a comprehensive analysis of the artistic achievements of the late Byzantine Empire. They argue that a multi-disciplinary approach is essential to fully appreciate the complexity and richness of this period, which was characterized by a blend of cultural and artistic influences.

In conclusion, Late Byzantium Reconsidered offers a valuable contribution to our understanding of the late Byzantine period. Through its collection of essays, it challenges established ideas about the period and highlights the innovative and dynamic nature of the artistic achievements of Mediterranean centers associated with the Byzantine Empire. The volume provides a rich and comprehensive analysis of the artistic landscape of the late medieval and early modern Mediterranean, shedding light on the complex and multifaceted nature of this period.

\n Weight: 382g\n
Dimension: 157 x 234 x 17 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780367671525\n \n