Publication details
A Byzantine Century. Reassessing Neo-Byzantine Style from Paris to Algiers to Tiflis, and Beyond (ca. 1800–1920)
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| Year of publication | 2024 |
| Type | Conference |
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| Description | The Neo-Byzantine revival of the 19th century emerged as a multifaceted and ideologically charged architectural phenomenon, reflecting diverse cultural, political, and religious agendas across Europe, North Africa, and West Asia. From expressions of continuity with Byzantine Orthodoxy in Russia to its use as a tool of colonial dominance in French Algeria, the style was deployed to serve varying narratives. In Austria-Hungary, it shaped national and religious identities in contested regions like Dalmatia, while in Britain, it influenced the Arts & Crafts movement. Similarly, Neo-Byzantine aesthetics informed ecclesiastical, secular, and even interfaith architecture, demonstrating its versatility and ideological reach. This conference reexamined the term “Neo-Byzantine” as a product of historicist eclecticism shaped by evolving periodizations and orientalist frameworks. It explored the interplay between art historical theory, architectural practice, and patronage, emphasizing how the style was instrumental in identity formation, nation-building, and colonial enterprises during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Through diverse case studies, the event underscored the enduring complexities and global impact of the Byzantine revival. |
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