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Talking Bodies: the Human Body in Medieval Art with Sabry Amroussi

Talking Bodies: the Human Body in Medieval Art with Sabry Amroussi


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From wounds in the shape of the female form, to bodies being squeezed until bursting, and human beings seemingly functioning normally all while missing limbs or suffering from crude anatomical abnormalities, we welcome you to the intriguing experience of the body of medieval man. Through visual art, the human body has been depicted in innumerable forms and has had unimaginable actions performed upon it. In this conversation, your expert, Sabry Amroussi, will introduce you to the most fascinating representations of the human body from the 14th through the 16th Centuries. 

During this period of artistic creation, the human physical was depicted in a completely new way. What was behind this change? What (and who) inspired these bodies and scenes? What did the actions taken upon the bodies and their portrayals represent? In the Middle Ages, the human side of Jesus, Mary and saints increasingly took center stage, and what could be more humane than a body? This created an intriguing visual culture in which the bodies and body parts of holy figures played a leading role in artistic creations. Utilizing images taken from archives, as well as public and private collections, your expert, leading art historian and Context favorite, Sabry Amroussi, guarantees you will leave this seminar absolutely amazed by images you have never before seen and explanations you have never before been taught. 

Sabry Amroussi is an art historian and writer living and working in Amsterdam. He specializes in the art of the Dutch Golden Age, mainly in the works of Rembrandt and his school, and has a keen interest in the Jewish history of Amsterdam. He lectures and teaches on both subjects and gives art historical tours all across Europe. As a true omnivore when it comes to art, culture, and even cuisine, he has worked with and for major museums and collectors, such as the LACMA, Rijksmuseum, van Gogh Museum and the P de Boer collection in Amsterdam. As a guide for Context, he is eager to share this knowledge in real life, always with a big scoop of humor, ofter intermingling art with social life, cuisine, and history.

Not suitable for children under age 13 (sensitive content).

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 6 reviews
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(6)
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R
R.Y. (Albuquerque, US)
Interesting and entertaining

An interesting overview of how the human body was portrayed in northern medieval art - lots of great examples, many from private collections. A lot of humor in the presentation of this niche topic.

B
BEVERLY B FLOWERS (Arlington, US)
Sabry does it again

In addition to being an amazing art historian, Sabry is a fascinating story teller and can find the most interesting subjects for his audience.

B
Barbara Blonsky (Mount Laurel, US)
Eye Opening and Fun

This class is incredibly eye opening, bringing me information and concepts I had never learned in any college art history class! Sabry’s enthusiasm and humor make this class a great deal of fun.

S
Susan C. (Mount Laurel, US)
Things They Didn't Teach You in College About Medieval Art

This was a fascinating discussion of undercurrents and strange detours in Medieval Art. All of Sabry's lectures are entertaining and erudite. This one was especially interesting, highlighting odd images and quirky trends in representing biblical and apocryphal subjects from the 1300s-1500s.

L
LG (Waterloo, CA)

Excellent. Sabry is one of the best educators in the Context repertoire. He is engaging, very knowledgeable, modest, funny, and ALWAYS respectful of the adult learners in the discussion. I wish he would offer actual context tours in Europe.

Customer Reviews

Based on 6 reviews
100%
(6)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
R
R.Y. (Albuquerque, US)
Interesting and entertaining

An interesting overview of how the human body was portrayed in northern medieval art - lots of great examples, many from private collections. A lot of humor in the presentation of this niche topic.

B
BEVERLY B FLOWERS (Arlington, US)
Sabry does it again

In addition to being an amazing art historian, Sabry is a fascinating story teller and can find the most interesting subjects for his audience.

B
Barbara Blonsky (Mount Laurel, US)
Eye Opening and Fun

This class is incredibly eye opening, bringing me information and concepts I had never learned in any college art history class! Sabry’s enthusiasm and humor make this class a great deal of fun.

S
Susan C. (Mount Laurel, US)
Things They Didn't Teach You in College About Medieval Art

This was a fascinating discussion of undercurrents and strange detours in Medieval Art. All of Sabry's lectures are entertaining and erudite. This one was especially interesting, highlighting odd images and quirky trends in representing biblical and apocryphal subjects from the 1300s-1500s.

L
LG (Waterloo, CA)

Excellent. Sabry is one of the best educators in the Context repertoire. He is engaging, very knowledgeable, modest, funny, and ALWAYS respectful of the adult learners in the discussion. I wish he would offer actual context tours in Europe.