New Approaches to Medieval Architecture

This collection of essays presents the exciting and innovative work being done in the field of medieval architectural history by scholars affiliated with AVISTA, one of the most active sponsors of such research in the Anglo-American scholarly community. These studies constitute a snapshot of the range of new interpretive strategies being deployed by researchers in the reassessment of previous scholarship and identification of new modes of inquiry. In recent years, the study of medieval architecture has been transformed by the emergence of new critical perspectives and new technologies. The contributors to this book are among those at the forefront of these developments. Several of the essays present dramatic reinterpretations of canonical monuments including the Abbey of Saint-Denis, Beauvais Cathedral and Notre-Dame in Paris. Others consider broader methodological issues such as the applications of geometry, workshop practice, and the shaping of historical narratives. Still others demonstrate how high-tech scanning and visualization methods can enhance our understanding of construction methods and the behavior of buildings. The publication of this collection of pioneering essays should foster further exploration by clarifying the state of research, by establishing specific historical arguments, and by providing models of inquiry to inspire emerging scholars.

Contents: Introduction: new approaches to medieval architecture, Robert Bork and Abby McGehee; Part I Re-assessing the Master Narratives of Medieval Architecture: The longue durée and the life of buildings, Nicola Camerlenghi; Some notes on the functional approach in the study of Byzantine architecture: the case of Constantinople, Vasileios Marinis; Saint-Quentin, Chartres, and the narrative of French Gothic, Ellen Shortell; Back to Beauvais (2009), Stephen Murray. Part II The Patronage and Institutional Context of Medieval Architecture: Money, stone, liturgy, and planning at the Royal Abbey of Saint-Denis, William W. Clark and Thomas G. Waldman; An essay on Villard de Honnecourt, Cambrai cathedral, and St Elizabeth of Hungary, Carl F. Barnes Jr; Gothic architecture and the civilizing process: the great hall in 13th-century England, Matthew M. Reeve. Part III Geometry and Workshop Practice in Medieval Architecture: Standardization and innovation in design: limestone architectural sculpture in 12th-century France, Janet E. Snyder; The enigma of arcade design in Benedictine and Cistercian churches: how regular did pier spacing have to be?, Nigel Hiscock; Art, architecture, and science: considerations on the plan of the chevet of Saint-Denis, Stefaan van Liefferinge; Villard's Laon tower drawings and the visual transmission of architectural ideas, Robert Bork. Part IV New Technologies for the Study of Medieval Architecture: Ground-penetrating radar at Valmagne, France, Vivian Paul, Suwimon Udphuay, Mark Everett and Robert Warden; Vaulting issues at St-Etienne, Auxerre, Harry Titus; The medieval design process at Southwell Minster, Lisa Reilly with Chad Keller and Edward Triplett; Rethinking medieval structure, Andrew J. Tallon; 'Ci poes vos veir': technologies of representation from drawing to digital, Michael T. Davis; Index.

Robert Bork is associate professor of art history at the University of Iowa, USA; William W. Clark is professor in the Graduate Center, CUNY, USA; Abby McGehee is associate professor at the Oregon College of Art and Craft, USA