5th International Seminar COLOR GÒTIC – Chroma and Pigment: Art and Material Culture from 1200 to 1500.

The 5th International Seminar COLOR GÒTIC will take place on 27–29 April 2027 in the Aula Magna of the Faculty of Geography and History at the University of Barcelona.

Directed by Professor Rosa Alcoy, this fifth edition will focus on the study of colour and its materiality in artistic production from the thirteenth to the fifteenth century, exploring its role in creative processes, forms of expression and representation, and the contexts in which works of art were produced.

The seminar invites reflection on the perception and meaning of colour in medieval art, as well as on the materials, techniques and technical knowledge involved in artistic creation. Adopting an interdisciplinary perspective and encompassing different European regions, it aims to foster dialogue between art history, material culture studies, and conservation and restoration.

The seminar welcomes proposals addressing the following themes:

-Materials, techniques and processes of artistic creation: Pigments, artistic techniques, materials and supports; painting, polychrome sculpture, architecture, manuscript illumination and decorative arts; technical treatises, documentary sources and the circulation of artistic knowledge.

-Chromaticism, style and representation: Colour palettes, contrasts, conventions and innovations; colour in visual narratives, artistic styles and the circulation of models and influences.

-Colour, iconography and symbolism: The role of colour in the construction of meaning, the identification of figures and episodes, clothing, heraldry and the social and cultural practices of the period.

-Perception, function and reception of colour: The visual experience of artworks in their original contexts; relationships between colour, light and space; religious and secular settings; changes in the appearance and perception of colour over time.

PAPER PROPOSALS

Proposals should include an abstract of 300 words, five keywords and a short biography of approximately 150 words, all in Times New Roman, 12-point font.

Submissions should be sent to gotic.colorub.edu by 15 January 2027.

Particular consideration will be given to proposals that clearly highlight the contributions of the research undertaken and its relevance to the seminar's themes.

The seminar languages will be Catalan, Spanish, French, Italian and English. Oral presentations will be limited to 20 minutes, with additional time allocated for discussion.

The Scientific Committee will review the proposals and notify applicants of acceptance as soon as possible.

The conference organisers will not cover speakers' expenses.

Information and contact: gotic.colorub.edu

https://colorgotic2027.wordpress.com/

Director: Rosa Alcoy

Coordinators: Alba Barceló, Guadaira Macías and Enrico Pusceddu