Abstract

This paper examines relationships between systems of thought through reflection on two fourteenth century Italian frescoes and investigation of what Bourdieu labels “fields”. These fields are shaped by aesthetic values and cultural practices in the context of broader socio-cultural processes, that is, the visual arts in two communities just a generation apart. This paper examines relationships between systems of thought, that is, religious traditions and spiritualities and social institutions, as reflected in two art works. These form the context for the creation and appreciation of visual art which, in Bourdieu’s terms, is “invested with material and symbolic power”. It will also explore the religious traditions, spiritualities and social institutions, reflected in two art works. These form the context for the creation and appreciation of visual art which, in Bourdieu’s terms, is “invested with material and symbolic power”. Bourdieu, like Foucault, identifies the subterranean nature of power and challenges many well accepted ways of seeing and describing the world. The paper concludes with some reflections on the use of Bourdieu’s methods in helping understand the contestations and socio-cultural readings of art works that can help us inform a more ecologically sustainable spirituality and society.