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ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

A Game of Love and Chess: A Study of Chess Players on Gothic Ivory Mirror Cases

Binkhorst, Caitlin E
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ksuhonors1367695601

Abstract Details

2013, BA, Kent State University, College of the Arts / School of Art.
In the world's 2019 museums there are nearly one hundred and fifty gothic ivory mirror cases. Of these fifteen illustrate a scene of an amorous couple playing chess, and possess an incredible similarity not seen in other mirror case subjects. In this study, the reasons for this similarity will be examined. While this scene has been repeatedly connected to literature contemporary to the mirror cases, this study shows that the mirror cases do not illustrate these stories, but instead illustrate a scene of the incredibly popular game of chess. All of these aspects point to the importance the theme of courtly love had in the early to mid-1300s, yet the reason for that importance is only conjecture. Finally, this study will tackle the bigger picture of the fourteenth century courtly love ivories. While literature of the time, as we will see, points to a change from courtly love themed poetry to prose that creates an all-encompassing fantasy realm, courtly love themed art continued to display scenes that were common to daily life or represent ideas formulated when courtly love was at its peak in the late twelfth century. Because of this, I postulate that, the troubling environment of the fourteenth century, led to escapism through art objects, a harkening back to a time when courtly love flourished and life was easier. The abundance of courtly love ivories in the fourteenth century can be attributed to courtly love nostalgia.
Diane Scillia, Dr. (Advisor)
Gus Medicus, Dr. (Committee Member)
Natasha Levinson, Dr. (Committee Member)
Sara Newman, Dr. (Committee Member)
102 p.
Art History; Medieval History; Medieval Literature

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Binkhorst, C. E. (2013). A Game of Love and Chess: A Study of Chess Players on Gothic Ivory Mirror Cases [Undergraduate thesis, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ksuhonors1367695601

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Binkhorst, Caitlin. A Game of Love and Chess: A Study of Chess Players on Gothic Ivory Mirror Cases. 2013. Kent State University, Undergraduate thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ksuhonors1367695601.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Binkhorst, Caitlin. "A Game of Love and Chess: A Study of Chess Players on Gothic Ivory Mirror Cases." Undergraduate thesis, Kent State University, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ksuhonors1367695601

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by Kent State University Honors College and OhioLINK.