Magische Bilder: Techniken der Verzauberung in der Kunst vom Mittelalter bis zur Gegenwart

Abstract

Magical images are generally associated with early periods in history or with primitive phases of human culture. Since ancient times, pictorial punishments were known, in which the magical presence of humans was adopted in the work of art. However, even in our enlightened presence, such historic iconoclasm has a fascinating afterlife, for example in the attacks on monuments or election posters. The African cult object, the miracle-performing image of the Madonna, and the talisman, as well as the revered picture of a rock or film star - they all present research with comparable challenges. This current volume investigates magical images from the perspective of anthropology and the media, in the quest to find an answer to the question of what makes a work of art a magical image.