Projects / Programmes
The Profane in Sacral Spaces: Representing Secular Interests in Church Art
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 6.09.00 |
Humanities |
Art history |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| H310 |
Humanities |
Art history |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 6.04 |
Humanities |
Arts (arts, history of arts, performing arts, music) |
sacral art, secular commissioners, secular art, religious commissions, political iconography, art of national awakening, national hagiography, patrocinium, collecting practices, representations of doners and patrons
Researchers (12)
Organisations (2)
Abstract
Hitherto, no study has been made for the Slovenian space on the interrelations between the profane and sacral in the Middle Ages and Modern period, which would focus on the various aspects of the presence of the profane in the sacral spaces and would analyze its secular as well as religious aspects. The project will shed light on the so-far unresearched aspects of the understanding the monuments and artworks, the secular interests behind the religious art and church interests for the secular contents in the Slovenian artistic space. It will focus on Christian iconography in the secular spaces, including central political architectures. The research will base on a thorough study of secular influences and motifs in the sacral spaces on the one hand and religious influences and motifs in the secular spaces on the other hand. It will analyse interests for and motives behind both aspects from the secular as well as religious points of view.
Studies into the Middle Ages will tackle upon the so far unsearched role (as regards art history) of Berthold of Andechs Meran, a member of one of the most renown 13th century noble families in Europe, in the development and artistic appearance of individual important monuments of the High Middle Ages in Slovenia. A part of research will focus on Medieval, especially figural architectural sculpture, as the segment of sacral art production which was most influenced by the newly adopted secular elements. The other two research themes which will be studied in detail are 14th and 15th century representations of donors in Styria, and the tombstones of aristocrats and townsmen in monastic, parish and subsidiary churches. The main objective of these two research themes is to identify the commissioners and their motives for the erection of tombstones on a particular place in a church or the reasons behind a specific manner of depiction in a painting or sculpture.
The research of the art of modern period will encompass an in-depth analysis of probate inventories of aristocracy and clergy as well as records of monastery collections. Based on this analysis, the role, function and meaning of secular artworks in castle chapels, monasteries and bishops’ residences in the 17th and 18th century in Slovenian lands will be studied. Moreover, the national aspects of sacral art will be researched, as well as its national-constitutional, national-protective function and national hagiography. The study of the 20th century will tackle the position of Christian iconography in 20th century public painting.
The research methods and approaches which will be applied in the project research include an in-depth analysis and critical interpretation of all the relevant archival sources and all published theme-related publications on individual artworks and itineraries of secular and church individuals, extensive field work and a comprehensive stylistic, iconographical, iconological and chronological analysis. In addition, methods and approaches of other humanistic disciplines will be applied. The field work will take place in Slovenia and abroad, especially in Croatia, Hungary, Austria, Italy, Germany, France.
Research results will confirm of reject the existing theses, and, above all, widen the existing knowledge and understanding of the secular influences in sacral art in the secular spaces in Slovenia. As engaging into these research questions is extremely important for the understanding and evaluation of art in the sacral in secular spaces, this research theme is one of the crucial ones for the study of Slovenian art history.
Significance for science
The research done in the scope of the project are of exceptional importance for the development of the art historical profession as well as numerous other similar humanistic sciences. The members of the project team discussed the most diverse aspects of the intertwinement of the profane and the sacral in art from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Some of the most important art monuments in present-day Slovenia have been put in the forefront, as well as individual persons that had an important historical, political, social, commissioner's, ecclesiastical etc. role in wider (Central) European space. The results are also of a great importance for a scientific development in a broader European space since they complement significantly the existing research abroad, as well as contribute greatly to a more corresponding placement of monuments in present-day Slovenia into the European artistic space. Because the studies were based on the analysis of a complex background of art patronage, the results are an important contribution to numerous other humanistic sciences, among others, to history, theology, anthropology etc. By including a wider specter of artistic, social, historical, political, social aspects etc. when discussing art monuments, the studies are also an important addition to the development of art historical research methodology. The results of the project contribute immensely to the understanding of the complex background of artworks and their wider historical, cultural, political, religious and social function. The list of concrete art historical achievements includes new attributions, new iconographic interpretations, the revelation of the commissioners’ names, new dating, and especially shedding the light on diverse commissioners’ reasons for the creation of individual artworks. Also significant is the impact of the results on a more appropriate monument protection since thorough analyses enable better evaluation and consideration of artworks. The results are of an exceptional importance not only for Slovenian art history and wider cultural and political history, but also for the art and culturally-political history of a wider Central European space, as can be discerned from art monuments and the motives of their commissioners.
Significance for the country
The results of the project are an important contribution to the development of Slovenia not only on a scientific, but also on numerous other levels. As they can be directly used in evaluation, suitable protection and presentation of art monuments and art collections, they are an important addition to the preservation of cultural heritage and, thus, of an immense help to monument protection. The studies that were carried out within the project are also significant for the development of tourism and new tourist products, while they are also essential for the cultural development of Slovenia. As they can be used in education, they directly contribute to the development of knowledge. Since the majority of the project team members participates in the education at the Department of Art History, Faculty of Arts, University of Maribor, the students are regularly informed about the newest scientific findings. The impact of the results is much greater since new findings crucially complement the existing knowledge and are, thus, included in other educational programs in Slovenia. Because of numerous important findings, the results of the project are also an important example and incentive for new research. By revealing the wide context of the creation of artworks, the studies enable new understanding of artworks, the background of their creation and their inclusion in a wider (Central) European space. Consequently, they are important for strengthening the national identity.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2015,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2014,
2015,
final report
