Philosophy meets art with VIU professor Dr. John Lepage’s presentation “Renaissance Art and the Ancient Philosophers: A Study in the Representation of Ideas.”
Dr. Lepage explores, through a number of beautiful paintings and a few witty and humorous ones, some of the mysterious but meaningful ways representations of the ancient philosophers were adapted to fit the age of the Renaissance. He considers why certain painters painted what they did, when they did, and in the way they did.
This Colloquium grows out of a long study by Dr. Lepage on the faces of ancient philosophy in Renaissance literature and the visual arts. It draws on research he undertook for his 2012 book, The Revival of Antique Philosophy in the Renaissance, which explores the puzzling role of the pre-Socratic philosophers Democritus and Heraclitus in Renaissance literature. In particular, his Mar. 22 presentation will survey paintings of these philosophers by Renaissance masters. More broadly, works by Bramante, Raphael, Rubens, Rembrandt, and Velasquez, and many others will be examined in the discussion.
There will be an opportunity for questions and discussion following the presentation. All are welcome to attend and encouraged to join in the conversation.
This free event, sponsored by VIU’s Arts and Humanities Colloquium Series, will be on Mar. 22 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the Malaspina Theatre (Bldg. 310) at VIU’s Nanaimo campus.
“Renaissance Art and the Ancient Philosophers: A Study in the Representation of Ideas” is part of VIU’s popular Arts & Humanities Colloquium Series, an intimate, reflective, and intellectually engaging series of free faculty presentations. Discussion follows each presentation and everyone is welcome. Refreshments will be provided. The gate at entrance 5D (access from Fifth St.) will be open from 9:15 to 10 a.m. and from 11:15 a.m. to 12 p.m. Having the gate raised makes it possible for those who have difficulty with stairs to be let off and picked up at the Theatre door.
In the case of inclement weather, check the VIU homepage <www.viu.ca> to ensure the University is open. For further information contact Dr. Daniel Burgoyne at 250.753.3245 local 2126 or at <Daniel.Burgoyne@viu.ca>.