Würdigung eines großen Kunsthistorikers

Arbeiten zur Kirchengeschichte first began publication in 1925 and can claim to be one of the most tradition-rich historical book series. It presents research on the history of Christian churches and dogmas through the ages but also publishes papers on related disciplines such as archeology, history of art and literary studies. One of the series’ leading features is its consistent striving to combine historical-methodical precision with systematic contextualization of each examined topic. In recent years the series has increasingly published studies on themes relating to the history of Christian culture and ideas, viewed within a methodically open perspective on the history of Christianity.

Arbeiten zur Kirchengeschichte first began publication in 1925 and can claim to be one of the most tradition-rich historical book series. It presents research on the history of Christian churches and dogmas through the ages but also publishes papers on related disciplines such as archeology, history of art and literary studies. One of the series’ leading features is its consistent striving to combine historical-methodical precision with systematic contextualization of each examined topic. In recent years the series has increasingly published studies on themes relating to the history of Christian culture and ideas, viewed within a methodically open perspective on the history of Christianity.

Works of art without any real parallels, precursors or successors have always particularly confused researchers of the history of art. In the case of S. Salvatore in Spoleto the impossibility of anchoring the architecture within the known typologies and series of development resulted in an outright absurd spectrum of dating approaches from the early 4th up to the 12th century. An important role for the discussion is played by the building sculpture which, due to its high-ranking artistic quality, paradoxically suggests a dating back to the early Caesar period. However, its partially clear Christian entirety of motives rules out its emergence before the tolerance edict of 313. How can this phenomenon be explained? Answers to this question can only be given on the basis of a solid analysis of buildings with its restoration history as is presented in this volume.