Description

Book Synopsis
"Animation" implies that the image or figural object is alive, endowed with anima: a "soul", "spirit" or "vital principle." In the Middle Ages, holy or emphatically unholy imagery often possessed an ability to come to life, to act and do things, to move and gesticulate, to speak and exude. This "life" might be a result of natural or supernatural principles; it might be a work of magic, a work of mechanics or a miracle (a divine work). This book is about the different modes of animation that made medieval images perform their spectacular wonders of locomotion and physical transformation, ranging from mechanical machinery to magical conjuration and miraculous ensoulment. Talking and bleeding crucifixes are investigated alongside robot Redeemers, weeping Madonnas, automated devils and self-propelled statues - "statuas animatas" - that enacted their visible and audible animations in monasteries and churches, in historical technologies and treatises, in theurgical tales and demonologies. With its confessed reinvigoration of animism, this book will animate anyone with an interest in medieval art and art history, culture, ideas, religion, anthropology, philosophy and theology.

Animation between Magic, Miracles and Mechanics:

    Product form

    £32.00

    Includes FREE delivery

    RRP £40.00 – you save £8.00 (20%)

    Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Tue 11 Aug 2026.

    A Hardback by Hans Henrik Lohfert Jorgensen, Laura Katrine Skinnebach, Henning Laugerud

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of Animation between Magic, Miracles and Mechanics: by Hans Henrik Lohfert Jorgensen

      Publisher: Aarhus Universitetsforlag
      Publication Date: Publication Date: 29/02/2024
      ISBN13: 9788772196534, 978-8772196534
      ISBN10: 877219653X
      Also in:
      History of art

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      "Animation" implies that the image or figural object is alive, endowed with anima: a "soul", "spirit" or "vital principle." In the Middle Ages, holy or emphatically unholy imagery often possessed an ability to come to life, to act and do things, to move and gesticulate, to speak and exude. This "life" might be a result of natural or supernatural principles; it might be a work of magic, a work of mechanics or a miracle (a divine work). This book is about the different modes of animation that made medieval images perform their spectacular wonders of locomotion and physical transformation, ranging from mechanical machinery to magical conjuration and miraculous ensoulment. Talking and bleeding crucifixes are investigated alongside robot Redeemers, weeping Madonnas, automated devils and self-propelled statues - "statuas animatas" - that enacted their visible and audible animations in monasteries and churches, in historical technologies and treatises, in theurgical tales and demonologies. With its confessed reinvigoration of animism, this book will animate anyone with an interest in medieval art and art history, culture, ideas, religion, anthropology, philosophy and theology.

      Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Book Curl

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Diners Club
        • Discover
        • Google Pay
        • Maestro
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Union Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account