Parani Maria. Reconstructing the Reality of Images. Byzantine Material Culture and Religious Iconography (11th - 15th Centuries)

Brill, 2003. — xxxviii, 422 p., 314 ills. — (The Medieval Mediterranean 41).This volume examines the occurrence of secular contemporary artefacts (realia) in Middle and Late Byzantine religious painting. It explores the potential of Byzantine art as a source of information on material culture and inquires into the semiotic function of realia in religious pictorial contexts.
The first part of the book comprises five case studies dedicated to imperial, official, aristocratic, and military dress, furniture, furnishings, and implements. The creative processes that led to the introduction of realia into religious iconography are discussed in the commentary.
The book conveys a wealth of information especially on Byzantine dress and provides valuable new insights into the workings of Byzantine art. It is an original and thorough investigation of a fascinating, yet surprisingly little-studied subject.