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Faces and Enigmas: maker-portraits by Giotto and Giovanni Pisano - Laura Jacobus

When:
Venue: Birkbeck 43 Gordon Square

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Laura Jacobus considers some vexed questions surrounding early portraiture. During the later middle ages, the questions ‘who makes an art-work?’ and ‘what is a portrait?’ had no simple answers. The person who commissioned a work of art could be seen as the person responsible for its creation, and the person we call the artist could be regarded as just one of the means employed to make it. The word ‘portrait’ was not in use (at least not in its modern sense), and images of people were not expected to look like anyone recognisable. Giotto and Giovanni Pisano were two of the most famous artists working in Italy in the years around 1300 and they wanted recognition in every sense of the word. But how?

This seminar is part of the series of Murray Seminars on Medieval and Renaissance Art. These advanced research seminars are open to all, and attract interested members of the public, staff and students from other London colleges and beyond. They are an opportunity to hear and contribute to cutting-edge research, often at the very early stages of work in progress.

All this term’s seminars take place in the History of Art Department at Birkbeck (43, Gordon Sq., London WC1H 0PD) in Room 114 (The Keynes Library) at 5pm. Talks finish by 5.50pm (allowing those with other commitments to leave) and are then followed by discussion and refreshments.

The event is FREE, but please reserve your spot by booking for a ticket!

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