Historical Topics
From Papyrus to Printing Presses: Sacred Texts in Scrolls and Books
Sacred scripture is now readily available in countless printed versions and on the internet. This easy access stands in contrast to earlier centuries of Christianity, when all texts were handwritten. From ancient scrolls to medieval books, we will look at some spectacular illuminated manuscripts written and illustrated by nuns, monks, and professional lay artists for churches, monasteries, scholars, and prominent people of the time.
Norwegian-American Altar Paintings
Remembering the decorated church altars in Norway, immigrants to America continued this tradition by using paintings created by Norwegian-American artists, including Herbjørn Gausta and Sarah Raugland. These altar paintings were especially popular between about 1880 and 1920, and many are still in use today. In this presentation, we meet the artists, see some of the most popular subjects, and learn a bit about how church politics affected the market for these works.
Art and the Reformation
How did the Protestant Reformation affect art and artists, and how did art help to shape the Reformation? In books, posters, pamphlets, and paintings, we will see new types of art and new uses for old forms. From portraits of the Reformers to propaganda pieces, this presentation includes many images from the lively visual arts of Martin Luther’s time.
Bible Women by Women Artists
Although often indistinguishable from similar portrayals by their male colleagues, the images of Biblical women by female artists are sometimes distinctly different. In this slide presentation, we will see how the particular vision of women artists created fascinating perspectives on familiar religious characters and stories.
The StAve Churches of Norway
Known for their fascinating appearance and remarkable survival, the stave churches of Norway form an interesting connection to early medieval architecture and imagery, blending church design with elements of pre-Christian Scandinavian structures. Learn about these distinctive buildings, their decoration, and their history in this illustrated talk.
Photo: Fortidsminneforeningen
IN FOCUS: THE GHENT ALTARPIECE
The recent restoration of the Ghent Altarpiece has brought this famous work into the news, introducing it to many viewers for the first time. Created by the Van Eyck brothers in the early 15th century, the large and complex altar includes dozens of interesting figures and many beautiful landscapes, all conveyed in stunning colors and details. Its amazing precision and fascinating history will come into focus in this presentation.
IN FOCUS: THE ISENHEIM ALTARPIECE
Painted in the early 16th century, the Isenheim Altar is a complex altarpiece. Its hinged panels opened to reveal layers of paintings and sculptures that showed scenes from the life of Jesus and the life of St. Anthony. This presentation will focus on the altar’s original configuration, setting, and viewers, helping us to understand its deeply expressive details and visual power.
The Reformation in Focus: A Close Look at Two Cranach Altars
In this presentation, we’ll examine two famous sixteenth-century altarpieces by Lucas Cranach the Elder. Located in their original settings in Wittenberg and Weimar, these richly detailed paintings used the old tradition of decorated altars as a vehicle to show new ideas developed by Martin Luther during the Reformation.
IN FOCUS: RAPHAEL’S SISTINE MADONNA
Many people are familiar with the cute angels in Raphael’s 1513 painting, even though most wouldn’t recognize the rest of the image, much less know its fascinating story. This presentation focuses on the meaning and purpose of Raphael’s famous Sistine Madonna.