Beyond the Borders of Byzantium: The Migration of Liturgical Texts and Iconographies, Anna Christidou Memorial Lecture by Manuela Studer-Karlen (University of Bern), CEU Vienna and Zoom, March 20, 2025, 5:30–8:00 pm

The period between the 12th and 15th centuries is characterized not only by the many modifications in the liturgy and corresponding images but also by numerous exchanges, whether peaceful or warlike, between various empires and regions both in and beyond the Mediterranean. Such encounters confronted the societies in question with new challenges and were likely visualized in artworks like those found on the walls of churches, on objects, or in architectural features and illuminated manuscripts. The aim of the lecture is to trace the interaction between the Byzantine Empire and Georgia in this historical framework. The examination of the chapel of Vamek Dadiani in Khobi is a very significant example to better articulate the liturgical context of selected passions scenes in the churches of the 14th century in Georgia and to emphasize their interconnection with the Byzantine Empire.

Manuela Studer-Karlen studied Christian and Byzantine art history at the University of Fribourg. Currently, she is a Swiss National Science Foundation Professor for Medieval Art at the University of Bern. Her research centres on visual-cultural processes in Late Antiquity, interactions among text, image, and space in Byzantine churches, and medieval Georgian art.