De la sphère privée à la sphère publique, la resémantisation politique d’un motif initiatique en Grande Grèce

Abstract

Italiotes craftsmen are at the origin of a rich and original iconography whose potential to explore the history and the societies of Magna Graecia is still important. Due to the history of research and the complexity of sources, only few cross-sectional studies have been conducted, yet the south Italian iconography provides a coherent framework in which it is possible to adopt this type of approach. Expression of a new visual culture, this artistic production relies on a complex repertoire of symbolic motives giving it its coherence. By analyzing the path of an original motif, that of the cross torch, this contribution analyzes the semantic evolutions of iconography in time, space and in relation to its supports.

Keywords

• Magna Grecia
• iconography
• resemantisation
• mystery
• cross torch