Boutique

Simon CONNOR & Elizabeth ALLEN (ed.)

This volume originates from a two-part conference held in 2020 and 2021, jointly organised by eikones – Centre for the Study of the History and Theory of the Image at the University of Basel and the University of Liège. It explores the diachronic reception of pharaonic imagery and the conditions that led to its alteration. Paradoxically, iconoclasm—intended to diminish the power of images—ultimately reinforces the significance of the ever-powerful visual, as it continues to provoke strong emotional responses, whether of veneration or destruction.
The study of defaced images reveals discernible patterns, yet no universal rule: acts of iconoclasm are deeply influenced by historical, social, and political contexts. In today’s media-saturated world, their impact is further magnified, as exemplified by the destruction of the Buddhas of Bamiyan or the removal of controversial statues during movements linked to Black Lives Matter and post-colonial. By examining traces of mutilation, this double volume seeks to uncover the intentions and motivations behind these acts.
Iconoclasm, however, extends beyond mere destruction—images were often repurposed, modified or even buried to imbue them with new meaning. In many cases, defacement specifically targets relevant or even symbolic features, such as body parts associated with identity, ritual significance, or functions in offerings and fertility rites. The contributors draw upon textual sources, material analysis, and archaeological evidence to interpret these transformations.
Ultimately, the perception of altered images remains a subject of debate, often shaped by political and ideological narratives. By adopting an interdisciplinary and diachronic perspective, this volume offers a nuanced exploration of the enduring complexity of image destruction and reinterpretation.