The Destruction and Reconstruction of Medieval Art and Architecture: Ethics and Approaches

Sponsoring Organization(s)

Special Session

Organizer Name

Elisa A. Foster

Organizer Affiliation

Paris College of Art

Presider Name

Elisa A. Foster

Paper Title 1

The Lost Relics of Aquitaine: Investigating the Void

Presenter 1 Name

April Jehan Morris

Presenter 1 Affiliation

Bowdoin College

Paper Title 2

The King’s Three Bodies: Destruction and Recreation at Notre-Dame Cathedral during the French Revolution

Presenter 2 Name

Laura E. Cochrane

Presenter 2 Affiliation

Middle Tennessee State Univ.

Paper Title 3

Exhibit A: Reconstructed Buildings in Open-Air Museums and the Search for Authenticity

Presenter 3 Name

Rebecca Dierschow

Presenter 3 Affiliation

Independent Scholar

Paper Title 4

Respondent

Presenter 4 Name

Janet T. Marquardt

Presenter 4 Affiliation

Eastern Illinois Univ.

Start Date

11-5-2014 8:30 AM

Session Location

Schneider 1330

Description

Many important medieval works of art and architecture are no longer extant as a result of iconoclasm, war, accident or purposeful refashioning. Despite their destruction, these objects continue to demand serious study in the history of medieval art. Investigating these works of art and architecture present clear challenges for scholars but they also raise important questions concerning ethics and methodologies of the study of destroyed objects. While the reconstruction efforts for partially intact structures have been widely debated entirely destroyed objects and buildings have received less critical attention. This session considers the destruction and reconstruction of medieval art and architecture by addressing both how scholars can study medieval objects that do not survive--either entirely or markedly apart from their original form---as well as the ethical issues surrounding attempts to reconstruct these works of art.

Elisa A. Foster