Art History 280 - COLQ:RELIC, RELIQUARIES

Topics Course An interdisciplinary study of the cult of relics ? one of the most distinctive and complex phenomena in the social, religious are artistic life of the Middle Ages. Using both primary texts and the rich body of scholarly literature, we will examine a broad range of reliquaries ? whether abstract or shaped into a body part; purely ornamental or enhanced with narrative scenes; made of humble or of luxury materials. Issues will include: the evolving understanding of relics? nature and powers; the development of Christian pilgrimages to holy shrines; the dynamic relationship between the visible and the invisible; relic-collections as forerunners of museums, and pilgrims as the predecessors of tourists. Prerequisites: ARH 110, any Medieval Studies course, or permission of the instructor. Group I