Political Theory in Architectural Patronage.
Architectural historians use building treatises often as a means to understand and ascribe meaning to architectural forms and spaces. Other texts in which building features, for instance, political literature - such as (princely) mirrors, but also commentaries on Aristotle’s politics- have however often been overlooked. Instead of writing for the ‘architect’ or master builder, the authors of these texts focused on the patron(s) of architecture and in doing so they embedded architecture in a politicised discourse, describing it, amongst others, as a political instrument. These political texts discuss ideas on tasteful spending, and ‘good’ building, which contribute to the development of a theoretical framework on architecture in relation to political theory and behaviour.

In this panel, we propose to study architecture as a space / canvas onto which political ideas are expressed but also developed, and consider architecture and texts that describe governmental buildings as a lieu for theoretical reflection on politics. The form, materials and iconography of buildings will be linked in three papers to different sources, such as city deliberations, that offer new insights into application and integration of political ideals into building practices, and examine how architectural practices might feed back into political theories, ideas and allegories.

If you would like to participate in this panel, please submit a 100 words proposal (in English) for a 15-20 minute paper. Proposals should include an abstract and be accompanied by a CV (full name; email address; postal address; telephone number; full affiliation details (department, institution)). This session is planned to take place in-person.

Please submit all relevant documents by 27 September 2023 to the following email addresses:
Mats Dijkdrent: mats.dijkdrentuclouvain.be
Philip Muijtjens: ptm36cam.ac.uk