Clausura and Liturgical Installations in Late Medieval Convents in Rome and Latium

Abstract

Rome and Latium have yet to be the subject of comprehensive studies of medieval conventual art, especially in the context of liturgical installations and their sculpture. The reasons for the lack of an overarching study in Latium during the medieval period are manifold. While women sometimes inherited complexes from their male counterparts rather than constructing their own; other conventual complexes had a private and domestic quality to them, which sometimes resulted in less formalized spatial divisions made of ephemeral materials like mud, wood or even linens. The study of nunneries’ ceremonial installations is a reconstructive form of research, one that either deals with fragmented installations, or, with their uncanny absence. The adopted methodology used to reconstruct women’s ceremonial installations integrates written sources (visitation records, travellers accounts, letters) historic drawn plans and sculptural fragments. The study of fragments, or, their absence ultimately feeds into the broader scope of this research, which aims to gain a holistic understanding of sacred religious space destined for women. The five case studies selected for this conference showcase and tackle major challenges tied to the investigation of conventual communities and their liturgical