Romanesque Tomb Effigies: Death and Redemption in Medieval Europe, 1000-1200

Romanesque tomb effigies were the first large-scale figural monuments for the departed in European art, created to address social rather than individual anxieties. Shirin Fozi's book explores these provocative markers of life and death, establishing early tomb figures as a coherent genre that hinged upon histories of failure and frustrated ambition.

Format: Hardback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 11 March 2021
Publisher: Pennsylvania State University Press

Romanesque tomb effigies, adorned with evocative inscriptions, tumultuous historical events, and the complexities of Christian death, emerged as the first significant sculptural monuments dedicated to the departed in European art. In her captivating book, Shirin Fozi delves into these thought-provoking markers of life and death, establishing early tomb figures as a coherent genre that was intricately linked to histories of failure and unfulfilled ambition.

In stark contrast to the later recumbent funerary figures that followed, none of the known European tomb effigies created before circa 1180 were commissioned by the individuals they portrayed. Instead, all the identifiable examples of these tombs were dedicated to individuals whose legacies were marked by misfortune rather than triumph. Fozi leverages this evidence to make a compelling argument that Romanesque effigies were primarily designed to address societal rather than individual anxieties. They sought to compensate for defeat by transforming local losses into an expectation of eternal victory, offering solace to the embarrassed heirs of those whose histories were marred by misfortune and providing some form of compensation for the disappointments of the world.

This groundbreaking work offers a fresh perspective on monumental sculpture and the concept of the individual during the northern European Middle Ages. It features numerous examples that are accompanied by engaging visual, historical, and theological contexts. It will appeal to scholars of art history and medieval studies alike, enriching their understanding of this fascinating artistic period.

Weight: 1328g
Dimension: 216 x 264 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780271087191