The annual journal Arte Medievale, published by La Sapienza Università di Roma, is proud to announce the presentation of its latest thematic dossier, Les couleurs de la mémoire. Tombes médiévales polychromes et mise en scène funéraire (XIIIe-XVe siècles). Edited by Morvan Haude and Giulia Rossi Vairo (IEM researcher), this groundbreaking publication offers a new perspective on the role of colour in medieval funerary art, exploring how chromatic choices shaped the commemoration of the deceased during the 13th to 15th centuries.
The study investigates the rich visual and material culture of medieval tombs carved from stone or wood and often adorned with polychrome paint, enamelled metal or naturally coloured stones. In addition to individual monuments, the research also examines the broader funerary ensembles, integrating wall paintings, textiles and ritual objects that contributed to the memorial landscape. The continuity of remembrance practices over the centuries has sometimes led to the restoration or reinvention of the polychromy of tombs, adapting them to contemporary artistic tastes.
Bringing together nine contributions from European scholars, this dossier highlights the need for an interdisciplinary approach to understanding medieval funerary art’s aesthetic and symbolic dimensions. The volume originates from the colloquium held in Bordeaux in June 2022, a collaborative effort between the Institut Ausonius of the Université Bordeaux Montaigne and the Institute of Medieval Studies. The event promoted an enriching dialogue on medieval polychromy, memory and artistic techniques, culminating in this essential publication for historians, art historians and medievalists.
Morvan Haude, Rossi Vairo, Giulia (eds.) – Les couleurs de la mémoire. Tombes médiévales polychromes et mise en scène funéraire (XIIIe-XVe siècles), Arte Medievale IV serie, ano XIV (2024), pp. 9-128. Cinisello Balsamo (Mi): Silvana Editoriale. ISSN 0393-7267
Revista anual de La Sapienza Università di Roma – Anvur: A