Culture (RSA Montreal, 24-26 2011)

Sacred and Sexual in Early Modern Art, Literature and Culture

This panel proposes to explore the spaces where religious and erotic
passions meet in Early Modern literature, art and culture. Erotic
elements have long been observed in paintings of sacred themes, in such
images as Titian’s Penitent Magdalene, Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s Ecstasy of
St. Theresa, or in many images of St. Sebastian. Likewise, one finds
erotic language in mystical literature and religious poetry in which
writers longingly describe the joy of union with God. Religious
institutions also participated in Early Modern discourses on sex through
sermons, publications and other means. This panel welcomes proposals
that address the relationship between sacred and sexual passions in any
location or time within the Early Modern period.

Please email stowell.stevengmail.com by 17 May 2010 with:

-Title and abstract (150 words)
-AV requirements
-Indication of institutional affiliation (if any)
-Brief CV (optional)

Dr. Steven Stowell
Centre for Reformation and Renaissance Studies
University of Toronto