Experts reveal the hidden history and cross-cultural complexity of the icon “St George and the Boy from Mytilini” in London’s British Museum.

Transcript -- Unravelling an icon

The world of the early modern period (C10th - C16th) was one of religious obsession, power struggles and plunder.  But it was also a world of stunning artistic endeavour.  This collection shows how, encoded in the art and architecture of the time, you can find stories of political machinations, female influence and surging movements of people. We may think our own era has a monopoly on long-distance travel, but in the mediaeval period it was perfectly possible for Western Catholic artists to encounter Eastern Orthodox or Islamic cultures.  And as the different cultures met, they influenced each other in unexpected ways.  

This material forms part of The Open University course A226 Exploring art and visual culture.

Education

The world of the early modern period (C10th - C16th) was one of religious obsession, power struggles and plunder. But it was also a world of stunning artistic endeavour. This collection shows how, encoded in the art and architecture of the time, you can find stories of political machinations, female influence and surging movements of people. We may think our own era has a monopoly on long-distance travel, but in the mediaeval period it was perfectly possible for Western Catholic artists to encounter Eastern Orthodox or Islamic cultures. And as the different cultures met, they influenced each other in unexpected ways. This material forms part of The Open University course A226 Exploring art and visual culture.

Share Transcript -- Unravelling an icon

Sign up to save your podcasts

Transcript -- Unravelling an icon

Transcript -- Unravelling an icon

More shows like Art history: early modern - for iPod/iPhone

Bon départ: beginners' French - Audio

Art history: modern and contemporary - for iPod/iPhone

Women in Science - Audio

Philosophy and the Human Situation - Audio

Reading Political Philosophy: From Machiavelli to Mill - Audio

Ouverture: Intermediate French - for iPod/iPhone

Beginners’ Chinese - Audio

Andante: beginners' Italian - Audio

Bon départ: beginners’ French second edition - for iPod/iPhone

The Philosophy of Love - Audio