Imaging dreams in the Middle Ages: the Roman de la Rose and artistic vision, c.1275-1540
View/ Open
Owen2016 vol.1.docx (345.3Kb)
Owen2016 vol.2.docx (38.69Mb)
Date
24/11/2016Author
Owen, Jennifer Elizabeth Lyle
Metadata
Abstract
This thesis constitutes an investigation into the depiction of dreams in imagery
accompanying the late-medieval manuscripts and printed editions of the Roman
de la Rose. It reflects on the changing approaches to depicting dreams during the
250 years of the Rose’s popularity in central France, as well as discussing the
historical theoretical understanding of the concept of dreams, and its expression
in a specific Rose context. It examines the representation of dreams in a number
of Rose manuscripts – in particular their prominent dreamer incipits – alongside
other relevant miniatures of both a secular and religious nature.
Furthermore, the alteration of trends for depicting the dream space in Rose
manuscripts during the fifteenth century are also considered, as well as a case-study
of the luxurious Valencia manuscript, which contains a variety of dream
subjects. This is followed by a discussion of the methodology of manuscript
production in the medieval period, gleaned from a number of extant Roses. This
chapter underscores the important role played by artistic originality and
intention in the processes of manuscript making – addressing the ‘artistic
vision’ indicated in the title of this thesis. An outline of the printed editions of
the Rose and their resurrection of earlier tropes of dream depiction is also
included. Finally, the appendix contains a Catalogue of the Rose manuscripts
studied in preparation for and throughout the production of the thesis.