Imperial Rome and Christian Triumph by Jas Elsner

Imperial Rome and Christian Triumph by Jas Elsner

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Summary

An investigation of the role of the visual arts as both reflections and agents of the changes of late antiquity. It tackles the periods of the "Second Sophistic" and the era of the conversion to Christianity, exploring forms of art in relation to issues such as power, death and acculturation.

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Imperial Rome and Christian Triumph by Jas Elsner

Western culture saw some of the most significant and innovative developments take place during the passage from antiquity to the middle ages. This stimulating new book investigates the role of the visual arts as both reflections and agents of those changes. It tackles two inter-related periods of internal transformation within the Roman Empire: the phenomenon known as the 'Second Sophistic' (c. ad 100300)two centuries of self-conscious and enthusiastic hellenism, and the era of late antiquity (c. ad 250450) when the empire underwent a religious conversion to Christianity. Vases, murals, statues, and masonry are explored in relation to such issues as power, death, society, acculturation, and religion. By examining questions of reception, viewing, and the culture of spectacle alongside the more traditional art-historical themes of imperial patronage and stylistic change, Jas Elsner presents a fresh and challenging account of an extraordinarily rich cultural crucible in which many fundamental developments of later European art had their origins. 'a highly individual work . . . wonderful visual and comparative analysis . . . I can think of no other general book on Roman art that deals so elegantly and informatively with the theme of visuality and visual desire.' Professor Natalie Boymel Kampen, Barnard College, New York 'exciting and original . . . a vibrant impression of creative energy and innovation held in constant tension by the persistence of more traditional motifs and techniques. Elsner constantly surprises and intrigues the reader by approaching familiar material in new ways.' Professor Averil Cameron, Keble College, Oxford
Elsner, Jas: - Jas Elsner is Humfry Payne Senior Research Fellow in Classical Art at Corpus Christi College, Oxford University, and visiting professor of art history at the University of Chicago. Elsner's most recent solo-authored book is Roman Eyes: Visuality and Subjectivity in Art and Text.
SKU Unavailable
ISBN 13 9780192842657
ISBN 10 019284265X
Title Imperial Rome and Christian Triumph
Author Jas Elsner
Condition Unavailable
Binding Type Hardback
Publisher Oxford University Press
Year published 1998-09-01
Number of pages 320
Cover note Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.