Statuen in der Spätantike

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The study of late antique statuary engages various scholarly disciplines focused on the ancient world. These statues represent a waning genre, particularly significant due to their decreasing production. Public statues serve as vital indicators of the continuity of civic practices during Late Antiquity, while private statues reveal the persistence of classical mythological themes as society transitioned into the Middle Ages. The intellectual quality of inscriptions on statue bases reflects an educated elite, while the mutilation and destruction of portraits highlight societal fears surrounding these representations. This volume explores multiple facets of late antique statuary, addressing the chronology of statues, the formation of collections, and their contextualization in both public and private realms. It pays special attention to the decline in statue production and the emergence of alternative forms of representation. Contributions from various scholars, including Johanna Auinger, Sarah Bassett, and R. R. R. Smith, enrich the discourse on these themes, offering insights into the significance and varied interpretations of statuary during this transformative period.