Wed 17 Feb, 2021
Light in the Gothic period (twelfth and thirteenth centuries) has been the subject of numerous studies. These have drawn heavily on the writings of abbot Suger and focus particularly on stained glasses or liturgical objects. Aniconic polychromy is very rarely considered. This lecture will therefore explore the relationship between light and architectural polychromy. It will also consider the atmosphere and luminous identities generated by the use of local pigments.
Arnaud Timbert is Professor of Art History of the Middle Ages (University of Picardy Jules-Verne). He is a member of the Scientific Council of the International Stained Glass Center (CVMA). With the support of this institution, he sponsored a collective and interdisciplinary work on Chartres Cathedral (2014). He has also directed several works on materials and construction techniques (abbey church of Vézelay and Noyon cathedral) and restoration (castles of Pierrefonds and Pupetières). Whilst a fellow at the INHA (2015-2017) he also inaugurated a study of the historiography of architecture with a critical edition of the correspondence of Louis Grodecki (2018).