HAA 244 - Something Rich and Strange: The Materiality of Relics and Reliquaries in the Middle Ages

Jeffrey Hamburger

Thematically and chronologically organized, the seminar will examine the history and typology of medieval reliquaries, the strangest yet most spectacular genre of medieval art object, and one that defies the categories of modern aesthetics, with special attention to issues such as the rise and development of the cult of the saints, disputes over authenticity, architectural settings and deployment, processions and display, and the mixing of media, from metalwork and gemstones to ivory and bone. Conversancy with one European language other than English is an asset.