Life in Ancient Italy was steeped in rich and varied religious practices. Temples and precincts were covered in images of gods and demigods, and votives and cult statues filled spaces of belief. But who was responsible for these sacred images, and how did they carry—and create—meaning? This lecture will explain some of the functions of architectural sculpture and some of the important debates in their study. It will explain how the images of gods and other sacred figures have been understood, with respect to religious and political institutions, and how some traditions in the field might be getting in the way of a deeper sense of the artisans responsible for crafting these works. Finally, the Antefixa Project will be presented.
February 14, 2024
The lecture (in Italian) by Prof. J.N Hopkins (New York University) entitled 'Clay, Sand, Water, Hands. Research Approaches to Architectural Terracotta in Central Italy' will be held on Wednesday 14 February 2024 at 11:00 a.m. in the aula of the Museum of Etruscan and Italic Antiquities. This appointment is open to all interested students and PhD students of all curricula.