Brad Hostetler
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bradhostetler.bsky.social
Brad Hostetler
@bradhostetler.bsky.social
2.2K followers 1.1K following 1.7K posts
Associate Professor of Art History at Kenyon College. Late Antique and Byzantine art, Greek epigraphy.
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bradhostetler.bsky.social
In addition to the Willie Jack sighting in the first few minutes of the Lowdown, we have a second cameo of the book Man Moon beside Lee Raybon (Ethan Hawke). Hoping Flaming Flamers show up next.
A screenshot of The Lowdown showing a corner of the fictional book, Man Moon, originally from Reservations Dogs.
September 26, 2025 at 9:40 PM
bradhostetler.bsky.social
I just downloaded the sample recommendation form for the Fulbright ETA program, and I'm pleased to see that someone in the Fulbright office is a 30 Rock fan.
A screenshot of the sample recommendation form with a recommender's name, Dr. Leo Spaceman, already prefilled.
August 28, 2025 at 9:53 AM
bradhostetler.bsky.social
Actually they don't use the term byz so they are saved at least one letter this time!
March 12, 2025 at 10:06 PM
bradhostetler.bsky.social
I'm giving a talk on December 5 via Zoom!
Inscribing Sacred Matter: Reading and Writing Inscriptions on Byzantine Relics
maryjahariscenter.org/events/inscr...
Inscribing Sacred Matter: Reading and Writing Inscriptions on Byzantine Relics Date: Dec 5, 2024 Time: 12:00 PM–1:30 PM Location: Zoom
November 21, 2024 at 7:21 PM
bradhostetler.bsky.social
In Monza for the first time seeing the famous lead ampulla acquired by pilgrims ca. 600. The collection was possibly given by Gregory the Great to Queen Theodelinda around that same time. I photographed all 16 and labeled them according to Grabar's numbering:
www.flickr.com/photos/bradh...
Detail of a lead ampulla showing a roundel with an image of Christ's Ascension. One side of an ampulla featuring two pilgrims adoring the cross. A bust image of Christ is suspended at the upper end of the cross. The two thieves are shown on either side. A Greek inscription surrounds this image. One side of an ampulla showing the two Marys at the tomb being greeted by an Angel. The word "Resurrection" is inscribed in Greek between Marys and the angel and above the aedicule. A greek inscription surrounds this image. A detail of one side of an ampulla showing a cross under a canopy. It is surrounded by 12 bust images, presumably of the apostles. A ring of stars surround the apostles.
October 31, 2024 at 3:11 PM
bradhostetler.bsky.social
Some highlights in mosaic during our weekend excursion to Ravenna. New uploads here: www.flickr.com/photos/bradh...
Detail of an altar cloth in a scene with Abel and Melchizedek at the Church of San Vitale. Detail of plants and birds in the soffit of Sant'Apollinare in Classe. Detail of one of the Magi's trousers in Sant'Apollinare Nuovo. Mosaic fragment of an apostle's face at the Museo arcivescovile.
September 30, 2024 at 7:41 AM
bradhostetler.bsky.social
Went back to Santa Costanza and Sant'Agnese, this time with my class, and remembered my telephoto lens for some nice details:
www.flickr.com/photos/bradh...
www.flickr.com/photos/bradh...
Mosaic of a little putto pulling two absolute-unit bovines, who are strapped to a cart full of grapes. Detail of Saint Agnes's feet, clothing, and flames.
September 26, 2024 at 1:15 PM
bradhostetler.bsky.social
Yesterday I took some wide-angle photos of Santa Costanza so that I could better teach the space to students. If you want to use them, they are free for the taking on Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/bradh...
View of the ambulatory, showing its curve, columns to the right, exterior wall to the left, and vault mosaics above. View of the western vault and apse mosaics. View of the interior from the door showing the circle of columns around the center and the ambulatory to the far left and right.
September 25, 2024 at 5:43 AM
bradhostetler.bsky.social
Greetings new followers! I'm a historian of Byzantine art, working on luxury objects, and tend to focus on word-and-image relationships. I'm teaching in Rome this fall, and just visited San Lorenzo fuori le Mura this morning. Here's my photo of a mosaic in the soffit! www.flickr.com/photos/bradh...
Mosaic featuring a chi-rho symbol enclosed within a circle and surrounded by floral and precious-stone imagery in blue, red, green, white, orange, and gold tesserae.
September 24, 2024 at 12:43 PM
bradhostetler.bsky.social
The triptych was stolen in 1994 and returned in a ruinous state. The state of its condition was published by Thomas F. Mathews and Edmund P. Dandridge: drive.google.com/file/d/1wmg6...
The parts of the triptych all splayed out after it was returned in its ruined state.
September 15, 2024 at 4:27 PM
bradhostetler.bsky.social
OTD (Sept 15) the Byzantines celebrated the feast day of St. Niketas the Goth, a soldier of the 4th century. Some undetermined relics of his were housed in this little container that was itself in a triptych for the relic of the True Cross (feast day Sept 14), at the Great Lavra Monastery, Athos.
Small silver-gilt container with an embossed image of St. Niketas, full length, holding a cross in front of his chest. Triptych with the wings open. The relic of the True Cross is at the center surrounded by 6 smaller containers that held other relics, including those of St. Niketas.
September 15, 2024 at 4:22 PM
bradhostetler.bsky.social
A t-shirt that says Marxist Professors for Harris with a high-contrast portrait of Karl Marx.
September 11, 2024 at 6:04 PM
bradhostetler.bsky.social
I just asked ChatGPT to summarize Liz James' "Sense and Sensibility in Byzantium," and its response is not what I expected.
A screenshot of the summary: ""Sense and Sensibility in Byzantium" by Liz James is an exploration of the emotional and cultural dynamics of Byzantine society through the lens of Jane Austen's novel "Sense and Sensibility." James draws parallels between the societal norms, values, and expectations depicted in Austen's work and those found in the Byzantine Empire. She delves into themes such as familial duty, marriage, class distinctions, and the role of women, highlighting how these aspects shaped both societies. Through this comparative analysis, James offers insights into the complexities of Byzantine life and its reflection in literature, ultimately providing a fresh perspective on both Austen's novel and Byzantine culture."
March 27, 2024 at 5:17 PM
bradhostetler.bsky.social
We have a pretty incredible Art History study collection at Kenyon College, including some Ancient and Byzantine pieces. Here's a post-Byzantine triptych that was cleaned in the late 1950s by Photis Kontoglou. https://digital.kenyon.edu/arthistorystudycollection/1362/
ByzantineBluesky
A view of a triptych open. At the center is Mary with Christ. The wings are divided into two registers each. The upper registers feature a pair of bishop saints and the lower registers feature a mounted saint. On the left George spears a serpent and on the right Demetrios spears an enemy soldier.
August 3, 2023 at 2:31 PM
bradhostetler.bsky.social
Seal of George, apo eparchon, with the Bust of St. Demetrios, Byzantine, 7th–8th century. Kenyon College, Blick-Harris Study Collection, 2020.116. https://digital.kenyon.edu/arthistorystudycollection/684/ ByzantineBluesky
August 3, 2023 at 3:21 AM
bradhostetler.bsky.social
Triptych Wing of Saint Spyridon, Post-Byzantine, 16th century. Kenyon College, Blick-Harris Study Collection, 2020.329. https://digital.kenyon.edu/arthistorystudycollection/1344/ ByzantineBluesky
August 3, 2023 at 3:04 AM
bradhostetler.bsky.social
Ring with Holy Rider Iconography, Byzantine, 5th-7th century. Kenyon College, Blick-Harris Study Collection, 2020.100. https://digital.kenyon.edu/arthistorystudycollection/676/ AncientBluesky
August 3, 2023 at 12:49 AM
bradhostetler.bsky.social
Ring with Block Monogram Naming Stephen, Byzantine, 5th-6th centuries. Kenyon College, Blick-Harris Study Collection, 2020.104. https://digital.kenyon.edu/arthistorystudycollection/680/ AncientBluesky
August 3, 2023 at 12:45 AM
bradhostetler.bsky.social
Amulet with the Holy Rider and the Evil Eye, 7th century, Kenyon College, Blick-Harris Study Collection, 2020.140. https://digital.kenyon.edu/arthistorystudycollection/673/ AncientBluesky
August 3, 2023 at 12:35 AM
bradhostetler.bsky.social
Emperor Theodosius II died 28 July 450, but his annual commemoration was celebrated in the Great Church in Constantinople on this day, July 30. ClassicsBluesky
https://www.doaks.org/resources/online-exhibits/byzantine-emperors-on-coins/fourth-fifth-centuries-emperors/solidus-of-theodosios-ii-402-450
A picture showing two sides of a gold coin of Theodosios II. The front features the emperor, en bust, in profile wearing a diadem, helmet, and cuirass, and carrying a shield and spear. The back shows two seated personifications holding up a shield between them.
July 30, 2023 at 1:15 PM
bradhostetler.bsky.social
July 29, 2023 at 2:48 PM
bradhostetler.bsky.social
To be fair, this is how I read about imperial women of Byzantium.
July 5, 2023 at 5:37 PM
bradhostetler.bsky.social
"or statuary figures carved from lifeless material, and others by incising deep lettering on blocks and pillars, supposed they could entrust the merits of those they honoured to everlasting monuments. Yet those were all mortal things which are destroyed by the passage of time,2/3
June 7, 2023 at 3:39 PM
bradhostetler.bsky.social
"Mortal nature, finding consolation for a mortal and fragile end, appeared to glorify the tombs of our predecessors with immortal honours by dedicating portraits; some by devising pictures in coloured encaustic painting, 1/3
June 7, 2023 at 3:39 PM
bradhostetler.bsky.social
This is getting dated, but I can't stop thinking about this slide I made a few years ago. I show it in just about every class I teach. Happy last day of classes to me.
May 4, 2023 at 12:08 PM