Public evening lecture by Professor Dr Philipp Zitzlsperger (University of Innsbruck, Institute of Art History)

There are very few pictorial representations in which clothing and jewellery are depicted with such accuracy as in the Croy Tapestry. The recognisability of the portraits of the secular dignitaries clearly lies not only in their faces, but also, in particular, in their respective attire. Embroidery, fur trimmings, headwear and jewellery exude splendour and glamour, though this is not without its problems for the iconology of the tapestry. This is because, from 1530 onwards, the Imperial Police Ordinance imposed strict laws on luxury, which frequently clashed with pictorial representations. It remains to be examined to what extent the Croy tapestry was at odds with the law.

Philipp Zitzlsperger studied art history, archaeology and modern history in Munich and Rome. Since his doctoral thesis on portraits of popes and rulers (2002) and his postdoctoral thesis on costume studies as a method of art history (2007), his research has focused, amongst other things, on the significance of clothing in art, its artistic stylisation and the distinction between pictorial and everyday reality. Zitzlsperger is Professor of Medieval and Modern Art History at the Institute of Art History, University of Innsbruck.

Moderator: Professor Dr Kilian Heck
Venue: Pommersches Landesmuseum, Rakower Straße 9