Koç research center brings int'l art historians to Istanbul

According to Ivana Jevtic from the University of Fribourg, developments of Byzantine art were shaped in Constantinople but were further developed in other centers of the empire such as Trebizond and Thessaloniki. Innovations from the early 12th century are mainly visible in mosaics, miniature and icon paintings representing the genesis of the Palaeologan art, a late form of Byzantine art. Jevtic said colored and plastic modelling in painted portraits are the most important innovations.

Besides the poorly preserved monuments, Jevtic said: “Only two churches from that time survived, which made research difficult.” Among others, Jesus mosaics from Istanbul’s Hagia Sofia served as a source for Jevtic’s work.

Friday’s session at Koç University was moderated by professor John Haldon from Princeton University in New York.

Other speakers, Polyvios Konis from the University of Birmingham and Nino Kavtaria focused on specific aspects of Byzatine iconography such as the presentation of the Apostle St. Thomas and his disbelief in Jesus' resurrection.

A high number of well-known art historians are being brought together during a mini-symposia series at Koç University’s Research Center for Anatolian Civilizations in Istanbul throughout the whole spring. Focusing on specific artistic topics of different periods such as the Byzantine and the late Ottoman Empire, academics from the United States, Europe and the Middle East present their research results to reach a broader understanding of Anatolia’s cultural development.

The series of mini-symposia will continue April 17 with the topic of Ottoman civilization and its discontents, presented by professor Tülay Artin from Istanbul’s Sabanci University. The sessions are open to the public and free of charge.