Great Historical Figures in Art and Literature is inspired by the researches on perspectivism in history that have been put to the fore in the domain of historiography and “cultural memories,” especially in the wake of what critics have termed the “linguistic” or “cultural turn.” Our research aims at showing how literature and the visual arts articulate and represent history and great historical figures. We wish to reflect on the way that collective memories evolve over time, shaped and expressed through various literary or artistic media, constantly working in new figures or reworking their representation. It also shows in what measure these figures are identified and recognized within the field of literature and the arts, and what place they hold in the consciousness of various social groups. Additionally, this line of investigation may stretch to the genres which call on historical figures and contribute to shape them within collective memory.
Open to faculty or non-faculty readership.