Byzantine Art and Diplomacy in an Age of Decline
Cecily J. Hilsdale
The Late Byzantine period (1261–1453) is marked by a paradoxical discrepancy between economic weakness and cultural strength. apparent enigma can be resolved recognizing that later diplomatic strategies, despite or because of diminishing political advantage, relied on an increasingly desirable artistic heritage. This book reassesses the role visual arts in this era examining imperial image gift as reconceived final two centuries Empire. In particular it traces series luxury objects created specifically for exchange with such courts Genoa, Paris Moscow alongside key examples imagery ritual. By questioning how decline refigured culture empire, Dr Hilsdale offers more nuanced dynamic account medieval considers temporal dimensions power changing fates empires.