MURRAY SEMINAR

GILDED SUNS AND PEACOCK ANGELS: THEATRICAL MATERIALITY AND ART IN FIFTEENTH-CENTURY FLORENCE

LAURA STEFANESCU

14 JUNE 2023, 17:00-18:30 BST/12:00-13:30 EDT

BIRBECK, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON & ONLINE

In fifteenth-century Florence, the phenomenon of religious theatre and ritual performance, promoted by adult and youth confraternities throughout the city, reached an unparalleled popularity, transitioning from the realm of devotion to that of the spectacular. The highlight of these performances was the materialisation of a multi-sensory heaven on stage and the appearance of its living angels (young Florentine boys) in their dazzling costumes. Painters living in the Santo Spirito quarter, where most of these activities took place, were actively involved in the creation of the apparatus for sacred plays. They were sometimes even members of the confraternities that produced the plays, as was, for example, Neri di Bicci, one of the most successful Florentine painters of the period.

This seminar was previously scheduled for December 2022, then February 2023 but had to be cancelled both times. If you booked for either of these cancelled events, we apologise but you will need to book again as your old tickets will no longer be valid. The seminar will be delivered before an audience and livestreamed. Separate booking links are posted on Eventbrite for each form of attendance.

Booking Link to Eventbrite for Livestreamed Seminar

Booking Link to Eventbrite for In-person Seminar

Contact: Laura Jacobus

For more information, https://www.bbk.ac.uk/events/remote_event_view?id=34633