PhD defence Emmanouil Vakondios: Court Chapels as Crossroads of Religion, Power, and Culture
On Thursday 28 August, Emmanouil Vakondios will defend his PhD dissertation 'The Early Modern Court Chapel across Religious Boundaries: Architecture, Politics, and Performance'. In this study, Vakondios explores the multifaceted role of European court chapels in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. He highlights that court chapels were not merely places of worship, but also central spaces for demonstrating political power, social hierarchy, and cultural expression.
More than places of worship
Vakondios outlines the historical context of religious reforms, showcasing the interactions between secular rulers and religious institutions. He also discusses prominent medieval prototypes, such as the chapels of Constantinople, Aachen and Paris, that influenced later early modern designs.
Vakondios examines, among other aspects, the interior arrangements within court chapels, analysing seating hierarchies, liturgical fittings, and their role in reinforcing political and religious ideologies. Special attention is given to chapels serving rulers and consorts of different confessional backgrounds, revealing how architecture facilitated political compromise and religious coexistence.
Ultimately, Vakondios presents a comprehensive comparative study, demonstrating that early modern court chapels were far more than devotional spaces: they were dynamic arenas where art, architecture, religion, and politics interwove to shape the cultural landscapes of their time.
Prior to the defence, Vakondios will give a layman鈥檚 talk starting at 16:00.
- Start date and time
- End date and time
- Location
- PhD candidate
- M. Vakondios
- Dissertation
- The Early Modern Court Chapel across Religious Boundaries: Architecture, Politics, and Performance
- PhD supervisor(s)
- Professor K.A. Ottenheym
- Co-supervisor(s)
- Dr E.F. Koldeweij