Gilded Suns, Peacock Angels: Art and Theatre in Renaissance Florence

The Murray Seminars on Medieval and Renaissance Art present current research by established and emerging scholars.  Seminars are held three times a term and are delivered in mixed-mode, with attendance online and in person. The two kinds of delivery are separately ticketed on Eventbrite. Online access opens at 4.45pm, fifteen minutes before the start of the seminar at 5pm. The talk itself finishes by 5.50pm to allow those with other commitments to leave, and  is followed  by discussion which continues for up to half and hour.These talks are supported by the Murray Bequest in memory of the Department’s founder Peter Murray, and are open to all.

The Murray Seminars at Birkbeck

A research seminar exploring  the relationships between painting and theatre in fifteenth-century Florence. Held in London

Department of History of Art at Birkbeck,

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 talk aims to explore the connections between painting and the theatrical experience of heaven which shaped the visual culture of fifteenth-century Florence.The seminar will be delivered before an audience and livestreamed. Separate booking links are posted on Eventbrite for each form of attendance. This is the in-person booking path.

Our {communityGuidelinesLink} describe the sort of content we prohibit on Eventbrite. If you suspect an event may be in violation, you can report it to us so we can investigate.

To report other categories of prohibited or illegal content, submit {link}

Gilded Suns, Peacock Angels: Art and Theatre in Renaissance Florence

More events from The Murray Seminars at Birkbeck

Follow organisers to get events picked for you

Still looking for the right event?

Explore all events in London and filter by date, category, and more to find the perfect fit.

Gilded Suns, Peacock Angels: Art and Theatre in Renaissance Florence

More events from The Murray Seminars at Birkbeck

Follow organisers to get events picked for you

You might also like...

Sign in for personalised recommendations

Still looking for the right event?

Explore all events in London and filter by date, category, and more to find the perfect fit.