Cultural Encounter, Race, and a Humanist Ideology of Empire in the Art of Trecento Venice

This study reveals that the art of Trecento Venice, particularly in official settings like San Marco and the Palazzo Ducale, employed visual techniques to racialize and differentiate between groups, reflecting a complex interplay of cultural encounter, humanist ideology, and colonial aspirations. The research challenges the traditional triumphal narrative by analyzing mosaics, sculptures, and manuscripts through the lens of early Italian humanism and premodern race theories. Key findings include the use of physiognomy, skin color, and dress to construct racial hierarchies, often justified by religious difference and environmental determinism. These visual representations not only promoted a universal Christian empire but also underpinned harmful practices such as enslavement and legal exclusions.

Dale, T. E. A. (2023). Cultural Encounter, Race, and a Humanist Ideology of Empire in the Art of Trecento Venice. Speculum, 98(1), 1–48. https://doi.org/10.1086/722669