Raum und Sehen am päpstlichen Hof von Avignon

The book shines a light on the fresco cycles of Italian painter Matteo Giovannetti at the papal court of Avignon. After completing his first project in the Chapel of St. Martial, the painter became one of the highest-ranking artists at court. However, due to the unconventional placement of the cycles’ monumental scenes inside the court’s confined spaces, art history never fully recognized the potential of his paintings. Giovannetti’s strength lies in creating visual connections between individual scenes that underline specific messaging regarding papal authority. The book recognizes these visual clues for the first time by considering medieval reading practices, resulting in a new interpretation of these wall paintings while sharpening our understanding of medieval art in general.

• New interpretation of Matteo Giovannetti's painting at the papal court in Avignon
• A new look at the visual habits of the Middle Ages
• Spatial perception and reception-aesthetic considerations for the art of the Middle Ages