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Defining the sacred in fine art and devotional imagery

Publication ,  Journal Article
Morgan, D
Published in: Religion
October 2, 2017

Beginning with a definition of the sacred as a two-fold process of making things special, which consists of accentuation and affiliation, this essay proceeds to argue that things are made sacred in devotional piety and in fine art in parallel ways that configure images within webs of agents. The two kinds of imagery perform in practices of sacralization that move toward different ends. The production of aura is at work in each case, but operates with distinct aims. The essay then presents a historical account of fine art as a modern development tied to the rise of the nation-state, in which secularization extended to making art independent of religious institutions and patrons, allowing it to develop in a way that should be distinguished from devotional imagery. This does not mean that religion withers in the modern era, but that art developed its own mode of sacralization.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Religion

DOI

EISSN

1096-1151

ISSN

0048-721X

Publication Date

October 2, 2017

Volume

47

Issue

4

Start / End Page

641 / 662

Related Subject Headings

  • Religions & Theology
  • 5004 Religious studies
  • 4401 Anthropology
  • 2204 Religion and Religious Studies
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Morgan, D. (2017). Defining the sacred in fine art and devotional imagery. Religion, 47(4), 641–662. https://doi.org/10.1080/0048721X.2017.1361587
Morgan, D. “Defining the sacred in fine art and devotional imagery.” Religion 47, no. 4 (October 2, 2017): 641–62. https://doi.org/10.1080/0048721X.2017.1361587.
Morgan D. Defining the sacred in fine art and devotional imagery. Religion. 2017 Oct 2;47(4):641–62.
Morgan, D. “Defining the sacred in fine art and devotional imagery.” Religion, vol. 47, no. 4, Oct. 2017, pp. 641–62. Scopus, doi:10.1080/0048721X.2017.1361587.
Morgan D. Defining the sacred in fine art and devotional imagery. Religion. 2017 Oct 2;47(4):641–662.

Published In

Religion

DOI

EISSN

1096-1151

ISSN

0048-721X

Publication Date

October 2, 2017

Volume

47

Issue

4

Start / End Page

641 / 662

Related Subject Headings

  • Religions & Theology
  • 5004 Religious studies
  • 4401 Anthropology
  • 2204 Religion and Religious Studies