Appels à communication : Session at RSA (San Francisco, 19-21 Feb 26): Mythology in court culture of the early modern period – new approaches

Appels à communication : Session at RSA (San Francisco, 19-21 Feb 26): Mythology in court culture of the early modern period – new approaches

The syncretism between mythological themes and Christian culture was a defining feature of the Renaissance and played a significant role in shaping its foundations. This fusion involved the reception of pagan motifs within a Christian cultural framework, most notably, the incorporation of mythological themes into the art and symbolism of royal and aristocratic courts.

This session will focus on the causes and manifestations of classical tradition’s integration into early modern European court culture. As mythological themes were adopted and adapted to new contexts, they were often modified and reinterpreted, typically in allegorical and moralising ways. In the visual representation of elites, the use of mythological costume allowed early modern patrons to embody ancient deities. Mythological figures also frequently served as allegories of moral virtues or vices, illustrating the struggle between good and evil and offering moral instruction. This phenomenon echoed the earliest attempt to moralise mythology in the poem Ovide moralisé, known from the 15^th century onward as the Bible of the Poets. It was inspired by Ovid’s Metamorphoses, a work that captivated Renaissance artists and shaped the collective imagination. Mythological references provided a rich web of allusions and classical associations, allowing artists and patrons to enhance allegorical and symbolic resonance.

The session will aim to explore new contexts for the presence of mythology at European courts, particularly in relation to politics, ceremonial practice, propaganda, representation, education, moral instruction, entertainment, eroticism, and beyond. We will explore the presence of mythological motifs in painting, sculpture, the decorative arts, literature, theatre, opera, epistolography, customs, fashion, table culture, and more.

TO APPLY:

Please submit a proposal as a single Word document to Barbara Hryszko (barbara.hryszko@ignatianum.edu.pl) by August 4, 2025. Your proposal should include the paper’s title (15-word maximum) and abstract (200-word maximum), 1-page CV, including your current affiliation, email address, and Ph.D. or other terminal degree completion year (past or expected).

Please note that the RSA requires that those presenting papers at its conference must be members of the RSA.

Accepted presenters will be notified by August 8, 2025.