James, Liz (1996) 'Pray not to fall into temptation and be on your guard': Antique Statues in Christian Constantinople. Gesta, 35 (1). pp. 12-20. ISSN 0016-920X

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Abstract

This article discusses Byzantine attitudes to classical art as seen through Byzantine writings about statues. It takes issue with ideas about Byzantine "superstition," "credulity" and intentionalism in art, and the belief that the Byzantines found classical statues threatening and dangerous. Rather, it suggests that we should try to understand Byzantine texts in Byzantine terms (insofar as that might be possible). It argues that classical statues in Byzantium were, like Christian images, an essential source of power that could be employed to their own advantage by those with the knowledge of the correct procedures.

Item Type:	Article
Schools and Departments:	School of History, Art History and Philosophy > Art History
Subjects:	N Fine Arts > NB Sculpture > NB1293 Special forms > NB1750 Religious monuments and shrines
Depositing User:	Liz James
Date Deposited:	06 Feb 2012 18:17
Last Modified:	29 May 2012 10:37
URI:	http://sro.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/15626

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