HIEROTOPIC APPROACHES TO REPRESENTATIONS OF GOD IN THE VISUAL CULTURE OF THE HIGH AND LATE MIDDLE AGES

• Authors: Mrázová Martina
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

This paper examines various approaches of representation of God in the visual culture of the European High and Late Middle Ages, with a particular focus on spatial and symbolic depictions. Methodologically, it engages with contemporary visual theories articulated by Whitney Davis, Hans Belting, and Alexei Lidov. The research investigates worshippers’ multisensory perception of the deity through the framework of hierotopy, or the creation of sacred spaces. The study acknowledges the impact of medieval theological thought, on these representations, particularly of St. Augustine of Hippo. It aims to contribute to the scholarly discourse on the creation of sacred spaces. By examining the interconnections between theology, liturgy, and iconography, the author aims to elucidate the methods employed to depict the divine in medieval visual culture and to identify connections between medieval visuality and theological concepts. The primary objective is to address how the divine entity can be visually represented in space, through both, mental and physical images.

Keywords

EN

GOD; VISUAL CULTURE; MIDDLE AGES; HIEROTOPY; IMAGE; SACRED SPACE

• Publisher: Institute of History of Art, Slovak Academy of Sciences
• Journal: ARS
• Year: 2025
• Volume: 58
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 35 - 47

Contributors

author

Mrázová Martina

• Centrum vied o umení SAV, v.v.i., Dúbravská cesta 9, 841 04 Bratislava, Slovak Republic

Identifiers

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31577/ars-2025-0003