A journey in the history and culture of Sicily

In the first part of the study day, we will examine the surviving examples of Phoenician, Greek, Roman and Byzantine art in Sicily. We will analyse some remarkable Greek and Roman statues of gods and goddesses and marble reliefs together with Byzantine golden jewellery and mosaics. We will proceed by analysing the Arab conquest of the island. Our main focus will be on the city of Palermo, one of the great metropolitan centres of the Mediterranean. We will complete the study day by investigating the arrival of the Normans and especially the charismatic figure of Roger II de Hauteville, who made the island a monarchy in 1130. Up to the end of the 12th century, Sicily and Palermo experienced a period of peaceful coexistence between religions while the arts were greatly promoted. In this last part of the workshop, we will analyse the major artworks produced in Norman Sicily, and we will discuss the important links between Normans and Arabs.