An impetus from art history for medieval research

Whether stained glass, manuscripts, sacred buildings, or carved art, Assistant Professor Dr. Julia von Ditfurth is concerned with the origin, function, and semantics of medieval objects and architecture, as well as with their evolution and shift in meaning over the course of the Middle Ages and the early modern period. “My research focuses on the interaction of architecture and furnishings, their specific use in liturgy and ceremonial, art in women’s convents, and medieval manuscripts as vehicles for texts, images, and meaning,” says the art historian. “In Freiburg, I will now also focus on the study of medieval stained glass.” She recently accepted the newly established Academy Assistant Professorship in Medieval Visual and Cultural Studies at the Albert-Ludwigs-University. The position is funded 50 percent each by the Academy of Sciences and Literature Mainz and the University of Freiburg. It is integrated into the Freiburg office of the Academy project for medieval stained glass “Corpus Vitrearum Medii Aevii” (CVMA) and the Center for Medieval Studies Freiburg (MAZ).

During her time as assistant professor, von Ditfurth will work on her own research project on the relationship between design and imagery in medieval stained glass, among other things. “It requires very good working knowledge of the preserved and reconstructable inventory as well as different methodological approaches.” The integration of the project and the assistant professorship into the CVMA and the MAZ are important prerequisites for success. Beyond the research project, von Ditfurth will teach in the art history and medieval and renaissance studies programs and will be the academic coordinator of the MAZ.

The President of the Academy of Sciences and Literature Mainz, Prof. Dr. Reiner Anderl, is pleased about the cooperation between the two institutions. “This will not only provide new impetus for the further qualification of excellent researchers. At the same time, our academy projects will be able to create an even stronger bond with the universities.”

Academy of Sciences and Literature Mainz
The Academy of Sciences and Literature Mainz is a cross-regional association of personalities from the fields of science, literature and music. It serves to cultivate the sciences, literature and music and in this way contributes to the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage. The Academy is a place of dialogue, which focuses on interdisciplinary exchange. The “Corpus Vitrearum Medii Aevii” is part of the Academy program funded by the federal and state governments, which serves to preserve, safeguard and make our cultural heritage visible.

Corpus Vitrearum Medii Aevii Freiburg

Medieval Studies Center, Universität Freiburg

Julia von Ditfurth's background