The Anglo-Saxon stone sculpture of Mercia as evidence for continental influence and cultural exchange
Scholarship has long considered the style of stone sculpture produced in Mercia during the late eighth and early ninth centuries to reflect the direct influence of artistic activities on the Carolingian continent. Written sources point to the dialogue that existed between the Anglo-Saxon kingdom and the Carolingian courts in the years after Offaâs rise to the Mercian throne. This dialogue has been understood to signal Offaâs desire to raise his profile and that of his kingdom in the eyes of Charlemagne and the papacy. Mercian sculpture, unparalleled in its range of form and ornament, has thus been thought to owe its unique character to borrowed contemporary continental styles and motifs. By means of multi-disciplinary research combining art historical, archaeological and historical approaches, this thesis establishes the nature of the relationship between Mercian sculpture and continental artistic production. Examination of the development of Carolingian sculptural styles against the backdrop of the enduring legacy of late Antiquity reveals the variety of artistic models available to Mercian sculptors. Through close analysis of the stylistic parallels between Mercian sculpture and late Antique, eastern
Bergius, Gwendoline Clare Courtena
The Anglo-Saxon stone sculpture of Mercia as evidence for continental influence and cultural exchange. Scholarship has long considered the style of stone sculpture produced in Mercia during the late eighth and early ninth centuries to reflect the direct influence of artistic activities on the Carolingian continent. Written sources point to the dialogue that existed between the Anglo-Saxon kingdom and the Carolingian courts in the years after Offaâs rise to the Mercian throne. This dialogue has been understood to signal Offaâs desire to raise his profile and that of his kingdom in the eyes of Charlemagne and the papacy. Mercian sculpture, unparalleled in its range of form and ornament, has thus been thought to owe its unique character to borrowed contemporary continental styles and motifs. By means of multi-disciplinary research combining art historical, archaeological and historical approaches, this thesis establishes the nature of the relationship between Mercian sculpture and continental artistic production. Examination of the development of Carolingian sculptural styles against the backdrop of the enduring legacy of late Antiquity reveals the variety of artistic models available to Mercian sculptors. Through close analysis of the stylistic parallels between Mercian sculpture and late Antique, eastern
anglo_saxon stone_sculpture evidence continental influence cultural_exchange scholarship long consider style stone_sculpture produce reflect direct_influence artistic activity carolingian continent written source point dialogue exist anglo_saxon kingdom carolingian court year rise throne dialogue understand signal desire raise profile kingdom eye papacy sculpture unparalleled range form ornament thus think owe unique character borrow contemporary continental style motif mean multi_disciplinary combine art_historical archaeological_historical approach establishes nature_relationship sculpture continental artistic production examination development carolingian sculptural style backdrop endure legacy late_antiquity reveals variety artistic model available sculptor close_analysis stylistic parallel sculpture late_antique eastern