Hierotopic Approaches to Representations of God in the Visual Culture of the High and Late Middle Ages

Pages: 35 - 47

Language: eng

This paper examines various approaches of representation of God in the visual culture of the European High and Late Middle Ages, with a particular focus on spatial and symbolic depictions. Methodologically, it engages with contemporary visual theories articulated by Whitney Davis, Hans Belting, and Alexei Lidov. The research investigates worshippers’ multisensory perception of the deity through the framework of hierotopy, or the creation of sacred spaces. The study acknowledges the impact of medieval theological thought, on these representations, particularly of St. Augustine of Hippo. It aims to contribute to the scholarly discourse on the creation of sacred spaces. By examining the interconnections between theology, liturgy, and iconography, the author aims to elucidate the methods employed to depict the divine in medieval visual culture and to identify connections between medieval visuality and theological concepts. The primary objective is to address how the divine entity can be visually represented in space, through both, mental and physical images.

Mrázová, M. 2025. Hierotopic Approaches to Representations of God in the Visual Culture of the High and Late Middle Ages. In ARS, vol. 58, no.1, pp. 35-47. 0044-9008. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31577/ars-2025-0003

Mrázová, M. (2025). Hierotopic Approaches to Representations of God in the Visual Culture of the High and Late Middle Ages. ARS, 58(1), 35-47. 0044-9008. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31577/ars-2025-0003