2024 - The Medieval Mediterranean between Islam and Christianity: Cross-pollinations in Art, Architecture and Material Culture, by Sami Luigi De Giosa
Edited by Dr. Sami Luigi De Giosa, this new volume explores the intertwined artistic histories of the medieval Mediterranean, where Islamic and Christian cultures met, clashed, and blended. From the Iberian Peninsula to Egypt, the Mediterranean witnessed centuries of cultural exchanges, resulting in a hybrid material culture that often defies religious or geographic boundaries.
The volume gathers contributions from thirteen international scholars, many of whom are emerging voices in the field, to examine how objects, architecture, and artistic practices moved between Islamic and Christian contexts. Topics include the conversion of churches into mosques, the use of Islamic ceramics in Christian buildings, and the production of hybrid liturgical objects combining Islamic, Byzantine, and Western motifs. These case studies uncover the shared aesthetic language that developed across religious divides.
At the heart of the book is the concept of an “aesthetic space”—a space where visual beauty transcends religious and cultural barriers, fostering interreligious understanding and admiration. By focusing on religious art, while also addressing secular contexts, the book illustrates how beauty itself became a medium for cross-cultural communication in the medieval Mediterranean.
Dr. Sami Luigi De Giosa is an art historian and expert on Islamic-Christian artistic interaction. His project, backed by The Barakat Trust, will make a vital contribution to medieval art history, while also resonating with contemporary audiences interested in the dynamics of cultural exchange.
