Art Themes

THIS VERSION OF THE GUIDELINES IS SOON TO BE DISMISSED. PLEASE DON'T EDIT.

NEW version of the GUIDELINES

Getting Started

Each Art Theme gets a file with an ID assigned (= ATID). Before creating a new ATID make sure it does not already exist, if you create the file on the app make sure you: a) add the ID to the taxonomy in the Art Themes section; b) create a new file and save it in new; c) commit the newly created file.

The ID Should be concise, and should ideally allow identification of Theme/Object:

• Art Theme ID (ATID) = AT1005Crucifixion (AT + incremental number + first word of Art Theme)

Title

For the title of the work, when possible: a) include most common definition in British English; b) include Ge'ez title; c) consider including alternative titles used in principal art projects (e.g. ICONCLASS, Artstor, Index of Christian Art).

Ex. 1

<titleStmt>
  <title xml:lang="gez" xml:id="t1">ስቅለት</title>
  <title xml:lang="gez" corresp="#t1" type="normalized">sǝqǝlat</title>
  <title xml:lang="en" corresp="#t1">Crucifixion</title>
  <title xml:lang="gez" type="alt" xml:id="t2">ሥዕለ፡ ሥቅለት</title>
  <title xml:lang="gez" corresp="#t2" type="normalized">śǝʿǝla sǝqǝlat</title>
  <title xml:lang="en" corresp="#t2">Image of the Crucifixion</title>
</titleStmt>

Description

Each ATID should contain a brief description outlining its subject-matter and principal recurring features. If more than one typology is attested for a particular art theme in the Ethiopian tradition, provide a brief description of the features of each typology.

In addition to this basic information you may choose to provide references to WorkIDs that inform the content of the ATID (e.g The Crucifixion will include a reference to the Gospels) and/or, where possible, to the relevant passages of that work with @cRef. Finally, the description can be expanded to mention whether a theme type is attested in other traditions, in which case provide relevant bibliographic data.

Similarly, WorkIDs can be used to specify the particular scene in a miniature with a generic ATID within a decoNote.

Ex. 2

<abstract>
 <p> 
 A miniature showing the Crucifixion of <persName ref="PRS5684JesusCh">Jesus</persName>.
 The scene may include a number of additional figures, such as the
 <persName ref="PRS6819Mary">Virgin Mary</persName> or <persName ref="PRS5695John">John
 </persName>, the scene typically follows the account of the 
 <title ref="LIT1560Gospel">Gospels</title>. The three main typologies attested 
 in the Ethiopian tradition are:
  <list>
    <item>Type 1 <desc>There is an <term key="emptycross">Empty Cross</term> and 
    there are figures associated with it (i.e. it is not just an interlaced cross).
    </desc></item>
    <item>Type 2 <desc>The body of <term key="livingjesus">Living Jesus</term> is 
    nailed to the cross.</desc></item>
    <item>Type 3 <desc>The body of the <term key="deadjesus">Dead Jesus</term> is 
    nailed to the cross.</desc></item>
  </list>
 </p>
</abstract>

N.B. Typologies are encoded using keywords, see the Authority-Files Wiki for further details.

Consider including relevant keywords (e.g. The Theme of the Crucifixion should contain keywords such as Bible; Crucifixion; Passion of Jesus; New Testament) to link it to other works (artistic/literary) and content that is relevant to that ATID, these are placed after <abstract>.

Ex. 3

<textClass>
  <keywords scheme="#ethioauthlist">
  <term key="Bible"/>
  <term key="NewTestament"/>
  </keywords>
</textClass>

Bibliography

Lastly, please include at least a couple of references to the relevant bibliography at the end of your file. If there are works that deal with the history of the ATID in Ethiopia, these should be always included. For some themes, there might not be such a publication, in which case strive to include a reference that provides at least some basic information and additional references to the topic. Ideally also include a reference to one or more works dealing with the broader history of the ATID in art. Before adding the bibliography, make sure you have carefully read our guidelines on the matter and here.

Ex. 4

<listBibl type="secondary">
  <bibl>
   <ptr target="bm:1997BalickaCrucifixion"/>
  </bibl>
</listBibl>

That is all, you are good to go!