18th Annual Student Research Conference
Fine Arts
Separation of Church and State: The Effects of Political Conflict on Architectural Styles
Leslie S. Contarini
Dr. Julia DeLancey, Dr. Sara Orel, and Dr. Cole Woodcox, Faculty Mentors
Venice has received much attention from scholars for its complex history and unique architecture. Contemporary scholars have noted that the influences for that unique architecture differ greatly between secular and religious buildings. One argument for that difference, which will be discussed in this paper, focuses on the continuing tensions between Venice and the powers of the Catholic church. By examining the dynamic between the Venetian government and the Papal powers in the early to mid-fourteenth century, this paper will argue that the 1340 renovation of the Doge’s Palace in Venice was done in a defiant manner in response to that troubled relationship. This paper will also compare that with the church of Santi Giovanni e Paolo, built during the same period, in order to show that not only did Venice’s government intentionally separate its political architecture from the church’s style, but that the church also avoided Venetian styles as well.
Keywords: Venice, Architecture, Politics
Topic(s):Art History
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 31-4
Location: OP 2210
Time: 3:00