In a message dated 12/01/1999 10:28:05 AM Eastern Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
<< Again, duckwork aside, von Simson (_Sacred Fortress_) does an admirable
job of
demonstrating how contemporary events -- political, material,
theological -- *might* be integrated into an understanding of these wonderful
monuments.
Of course, he *may* be wrong in his final conclusions; but as a basic
introduction to the fundamental methodology involved -- how to (and *not* to)
approach a "reading" of these images -- i know of nothing better (Jim?).
>>
I started with von Simson when doing a paper on San Vitale, and agree that it
was, at least for my purposes, a good indicator of methodology. However, I
found that he assumed too much and was ideologically rigid. In the end,
despite the aforementioned promise of having the environment form the
mosaics, it was the mosaics who dictated the environment. Besides that, I
disagreed completely with his conclusions.
mark
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