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IMC 2005: Sessions

Session 902: Iconographic Roundtable

Tuesday 12 July 2005, 19.30-20.30

Sponsor:Misericordia International
Organiser:Elaine C. Block, Misericordia International, Paris
Moderator/Chair:Elaine C. Block, Misericordia International, Paris
Abstract

This round table will draw upon the expertize of each participant to help elucidate the iconographic enigmas brought in by other members of the group. The session will begin with a survey of 'clues' that may be used to better 'read' a visual image.These clues include attributes of saints and literary characters, clothing, tools, gestures, titles included in the image, the place and date of the enigmatic image, other images in the work of the artist, etc.
A selection of images that participants can study before the session will be placed on the Misericordia International website at http://www.tasc.ac.uk/ENGLISH/misericordiainternational/. Participants are also encouraged to place their enigmatic images on this site. To do so, please contact Paul Hardwick on phardwick@tasc.ac.uk
Participants can bring in a wide range of images: engravings, manuscript illuminations, misericords, cathedral sculptures, etc. Participants will work in small groups and discuss their conclusions with the entire group. A summary of the round table will be distributed to the group via email after the session. The results should be an increased understanding of how to read a medieval image and an increased repertoire for understanding medieval imagery in the domain in which the researcher specializes.
Participants will include Sylvie Bethmont-Gallerand (Ecole Cathédrale de Paris / Institut Catholique de Paris), Frédéric Billiet (Université de Paris IV - Sorbonne) and Paul Hardwick (Trinity & All Saints, University of Leeds).