Bissera Pentcheva
Professor of Art and Art History and, by courtesy, of Classics
Art & Art History
Bio
Bissera Pentcheva's work focuses on Byzantium and the medieval Mediterranean, more specifically aesthetics, phenomenology, and acoustics. Her most recent book Hagia Sophia: Sound, Space and Spirit in Byzantium (Penn State University Press 2017) explores the interconnection among acoutsics, architecture, and liturgical rite. She has also edited, Aural Architecture in Byzantium: Music, Acoustics and Ritual (Ashgate, 2017). Pentcheva has published another two books with Pennsylvania State University Press: Icons and Power: The Mother of God in Byzantium, 2006 that won the John Nicholas Brown prize form the Medieval Academy of America in 2010 and The Sensual Icon: Space, Ritual, and the Senses in Byzantium, 2010. She has held a number of prestigious fellowships among them: J. S Guggenheim, American Academy of Rome, Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin, Mellon New Directions Fellowship for the study of Classical Arabic, Alexander von Humboldt (Germany), Onassis Foundation (Greece), Dumbarton Oaks, and Columbia University's Mellon Post-doctoral fellowship. Her work has been published at the Art Bulletin, Speculum, Gesta, and Res. Anthropology and Aesthetics, and Convivium.
Academic Appointments
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Professor, Art & Art History
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Professor (By courtesy), Classics
Administrative Appointments
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Full Professor, Department of Art & Art History (2017 - Present)
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Associate Professor by courtesy, Department of Classics, Stanford University (2010 - Present)
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Associate Professor, Department of Art & Art History, Stanford University (2010 - 2017)
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Mellon New Directions Fellowship, to study Classical Arabic, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation (2010 - 2012)
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Assistant Professor by courtesy, Department of Classics, Stanford University (2009 - 2010)
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Humboldt Research Fellowship, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (2005 - 2005)
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Assistant Professor, Department of Art & Art History, Stanford University (2003 - 2009)
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Post-Doctoral Mellon Fellowship, Columbia University (2001 - 2003)
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Post-Doctoral Fellowship, Onassis Foundation, Athens, Greece (2001 - 2002)
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Dumbarton Oaks Junior Fellowship, Dumbarton Oaks, Washington, D.C. (2000 - 2001)
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Norton Fellowship for Dissertation Research, Harvard University (1999 - 2000)
Honors & Awards
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John Simon Guggenheim Fellow, Guggenheim Foundation (2018-2019)
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Wissenschaftskolleg, Berlin, Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin (2018-2019)
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American Academy of Rome, American Academy of Rome (2017-2018)
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Dean’s Award for Innovation in the Humanities, Stanford Center for Computer Research for Music and Acoustics (2010)
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John Nicholas Brown Prize for Icons and Power as outstanding first monograph in Medieval Studies, Medieval academy (2010)
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Richard E. Guggenheim Faculty Scholar, Stanford University (2007-2010)
Boards, Advisory Committees, Professional Organizations
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Affiliate, Byzantine Studies Association of North America
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Affiliate, Alexander von Humboldt Gesellschaft
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Affiliate, Zbornik Matize Srpske za likovne umetnosti
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Affiliate, Medieval Academy of America
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Affiliate, Istanbul/Constantinople Project
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Affiliate, International Center for Medieval Art
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Affiliate, College Art Association
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Member, Editorial Board, Serbian Journal of Art History
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Peer-Reviewer, Gesta
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Peer-Reviewer, Res. Anthropology and Aesthetics
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Peer-Reviewer, Dumbarton Oaks Papers
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Peer-Reviewer, The Art Bulletin
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Director of Graduate Students, Dept. of Art History, Stanford University (2013 - 2014)
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External Reviewer, Institute for Advanced Studies, Princeton (2013 - 2014)
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Member, Advisory Board for the Center for East European and Eurasian Studies at Stanford (2013 - 2014)
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Member, Dean's Committee for Islamic Studies (2012 - 2013)
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Member, Advisory Board for the Abbasi Program of Islamic Studies at Stanford (2012 - 2013)
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Internal Reviewer, Stanford Humanities Center (2011 - 2012)
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Member, English Renaissance Literature Search Committee, English Dept., Stanford University (2011 - 2012)
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Director of Graduate Students, Dept. of Art History, Stanford University (2010 - 2011)
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Member, Dean's Committee for Islamic Studies (2009 - 2010)
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Director of the Medieval Studies Program, Stanford University (2008 - 2009)
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Member, Advisory Board for the Abbasi Program of Islamic Studies at Stanford (2008 - 2009)
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Member, Acquisitions Committee, Cantor Arts Center (2008 - 2007)
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Co-Director of Graduate Students, Stanford Department of Art & Art History (2006 - 2007)
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Member, Executive Committee, Stanford Medieval Studies Program (2006 - 2007)
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Member, Renaissance Faculty Search Committee, Stanford Department of Art & Art History (2006 - 2007)
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Member, Curriculum Committee, Stanford University (2003 - 2005)
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Internal Reviewer, Stanford Humanities Center (2003 - 2004)
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Member, Renaissance Search Committee, Stanford University (2003 - 2004)
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Member, Dissertation Colloquium, Columbia University (2001 - 2002)
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Researcher, Byzantine Women and Their World, Sackler Museum, Harvard University (2000 - 2002)
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Cataloguer, Visual Collection, Harvard University (1999 - 2000)
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Member, Joint Faculty Library Committee, Harvard University (1997 - 1998)
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Participant, Program in Roman Archaeology and Topography, American Academy in Rome (1997 - 1997)
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Participant, Survey of the Middle Byzantine Settlement at Çanli Kilise, Aksaray, Turkey (1996 - 1996)
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Member, Phi Beta Kappa Society (1995 - Present)
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Curator, Student Art Work, Hollis Center, Dartmouth College (1994 - 1994)
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Research Assistant, The Glory of Byzantium, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (1994 - 1994)
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Founder, Art Club of Dartmouth College (1993 - 1994)
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Participant, Renaissance Art and Architecture, Dartmouth College, Study Abroad Program, Florence, Italy (1993 - 1993)
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Participant, Italian Literature and Sienese Art, Dartmouth College, Language Study Program, Siena, Italy (1992 - 1992)
Professional Education
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Ph.D., Harvard University, Medieval and Byzantine Art and Architecture (2001)
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M.A., Harvard University, Medieval and Roman Art and Architecture (1998)
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B.A., Dartmouth College, Art History (1995)
2024-25 Courses
- Experiencing Early Global Art and Architecture
ARTHIST 1A (Win) - Hagia Sophia
ARTHIST 208, ARTHIST 408 (Win) - Introduction to Middle Byzantine Music Notation: Transcribing and Singing Old Byzantine Chants
ARTHIST 258, ARTHIST 458 (Win) - Junior Seminar: Methods & Historiography of Art History
ARTHIST 296 (Aut) - The Dome as an All-Seeing Eye: Theatre of Judgment in Byzantine Art
ARTHIST 208A, ARTHIST 408A, CLASSICS 119, CLASSICS 319 (Aut) -
Independent Studies (10)
- Curricular Practical Training
ARTHIST 290 (Aut, Win, Spr, Sum) - Curricular Practical Training
ARTHIST 680 (Aut, Win, Spr, Sum) - Dissertation Proposal Preparation
ARTHIST 640 (Aut, Win, Spr, Sum) - Dissertation Research
ARTHIST 650 (Aut, Win, Spr, Sum) - Extended Seminar
ARTHIST 660E (Aut, Win, Spr, Sum) - Independent Study
ARTHIST 660 (Aut, Win, Spr, Sum) - Individual Work: Art History
ARTHIST 298 (Aut, Win, Spr) - Qualifying Examination Preparation
ARTHIST 620 (Aut, Win, Spr, Sum) - Teaching Praxis
ARTHIST 610 (Aut, Win, Spr) - Visual Arts Internship
ARTHIST 295 (Aut, Win, Spr, Sum)
- Curricular Practical Training
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Prior Year Courses
2023-24 Courses
- Dissertation Seminar
ARTHIST 670 (Win)
2022-23 Courses
- Audiovision in the Medieval Cult of Saints
ARTHIST 206B (Win) - Audiovision in the Medieval Cult of Saints
ARTHIST 406B (Win) - Decolonizing the Western Canon: Introduction to Art and Architecture from Prehistory to Medieval
ARTHIST 1A, CLASSICS 56 (Win) - The Art of Medieval Spain: Muslims, Christians, Jews
ARTHIST 208B, ARTHIST 408B (Spr) - Virginity and Power: The Mother of God and Visions of Empire
ARTHIST 208D, ARTHIST 408D (Aut)
2021-22 Courses
- Abject Subjects and Divine Anamorphosis in Byzantine Art
ARTHIST 208A, ARTHIST 408A, CLASSICS 119, CLASSICS 319 (Spr) - Decolonizing the Western Canon: Introduction to Art and Architecture from Prehistory to Medieval
ARTHIST 1A, CLASSICS 56 (Win) - Enchanted Images: Medieval Art and Its Sonic Dimension
ARTHIST 205, ARTHIST 405, CLASSICS 113, CLASSICS 313, MUSIC 205, MUSIC 405 (Aut) - Hagia Sophia
ARTHIST 208, ARTHIST 408, CLASSICS 173, CLASSICS 273 (Win)
- Dissertation Seminar
Stanford Advisees
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Doctoral Dissertation Reader (AC)
Ana Nunez -
Doctoral Dissertation Advisor (AC)
Emilia Cottignoli, Maria Shevelkina, Maria Terss -
Doctoral (Program)
Andrei Dumitrescu
All Publications
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Chiasm in choros: The dance of inspirited bodies
POSTMEDIEVAL-A JOURNAL OF MEDIEVAL CULTURAL STUDIES
2023
View details for DOI 10.1057/s41280-023-00271-5
View details for Web of Science ID 001045707400001
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The Virgin Mary and Sainte-Foy: Chant and the Original Design of the West Facade at Conques
RELIGIONS
2022; 13 (12)
View details for DOI 10.3390/rel13121229
View details for Web of Science ID 000904398100001
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Audiovision. Image and Chant at Ste. Foy in Conques
MUSIKTHEORIE
2022; 37 (1): 41-54
View details for Web of Science ID 000807440500004
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Divine Anamorphosis. The Phenomenality of Gold and Chant in a Fourteenth-Century Antiphonary from Santa Maria sopra Porta
CONVIVIUM-EXCHANGES AND INTERACTIONS IN THE ARTS OF MEDIEVAL EUROPE BYZANTIUM AND THE MEDITERRANEAN
2021; 8 (1): 186-217
View details for Web of Science ID 000659285200009
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ICONS OF SOUND Voice, Architecture, and Imagination in Medieval Art INTRODUCTION
ICONS OF SOUND
2021: 1-+
View details for Web of Science ID 000731925300001
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THE GLITTERING SOUND OF HAGIA SOPHIA AND THE FEAST OF THE EXALTATION OF THE CROSS IN CONSTANTINOPLE
ICONS OF SOUND
2021: 52-100
View details for Web of Science ID 000731925300004
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TRANSCENDENT VISIONS Voice and Icon in the Byzantine Imperial Chapels
ICONS OF SOUND
2021: 101-115
View details for Web of Science ID 000731925300005
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Performative Images and Cosmic Sound in the Exultet Liturgy of Southern Italy
SPECULUM-A JOURNAL OF MEDIEVAL STUDIES
2020; 95 (2): 396–466
View details for DOI 10.1086/708002
View details for Web of Science ID 000526921700003
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Optical and Acoustic Aura in the Medieval Image: The Golden Retable of the Pentecost at Stavelot
MATERIAL RELIGION
2020
View details for DOI 10.1080/17432200.2019.1696558
View details for Web of Science ID 000508305300001
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Aural Architecture in Byzantium Music, Acoustics, and Ritual Introduction
AURAL ARCHITECTURE IN BYZANTIUM: MUSIC, ACOUSTICS, AND RITUAL
2018: 1-+
View details for Web of Science ID 000454823200001
- Hagia Sophia: Sound, Space and Spirit in Byzantium Pennsylvania State University Press. 2017
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Performing the Sacred in Byzantium Image, breath and sound
PERFORMANCE RESEARCH
2014; 19 (3): 120-128
View details for DOI 10.1080/13528165.2014.935185
View details for Web of Science ID 000341270000024
- The Sensual Icon: Space, Ritual, and the Senses in Byzantium Pennsylvania State University Press. 2013
- The Performance of Relics Symmeikta. Collection of Papers Dedicated to the 40th Anniversary of the Institute for Art History, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Belgrade edited by Stevovic, I. Belgrade: Faculty of Philosophy, University of Belgrade. 2012: 55–71
- The Miraculous Icon: Medium, Fantasy, and Presence The Cult of the Mother of God in Byzantium edited by Cunningham, M., Brubaker, L. Aldershot: Ashgate. 2011
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Hagia Sophia and Multisensory Aesthetics
GESTA-INTERNATIONAL CENTER OF MEDIEVAL ART
2011; 50 (2): 93-111
View details for DOI 10.2307/41550552
View details for Web of Science ID 000209308400001
- Hagia Sophia and Multisensory Aesthetics Gesta 2011; 50 (2): 93-111
- Miriam's Dance: Poetry as Movement in Byzantine Culture Bild, Ding, Kunst edited by Wolf, G., Muller Munich: Fink. 2011: 149–154
- Space & Sound in Renaissance Venice: Architecture, Music and Acoustics The Art Bulletin 2011: 489-491
- What is a Byzantine Icon? Constantinople versus Sinai The Byzantine World edited by Stephenson, P. London, New York: Routledge. 2010: 265–283
- The Sensual Icon: Space, Ritual, and the Senses in Byzantium Pennsylvania State University Press. 2010
- Icone e pottere: La Madre di Dio a Bisanzio Milan: Jaca Book Spa. 2010
- Moving Eyes: Surface and Shadow in the Byzantine Mixed-Media Relief Icon Res. Anthropology and Aesthetics 2009; 53: 223-234
- Epigrams on Icons Art and Text in Byzantine Culture edited by James, L. New York/Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 2007: 120–138
- Byzanz, der Westen und das 'wahre Kreuz.' Die Geschichte einer Reliquie und ihrer künstlerischen Fassung in Byzanz und im Abendland Speculum 2007: 1007-1009
- Räumliche und akustische Präsenz in byzantinischen Epigrammen: Der Fall der Limburger Staurothek Die kulturhistorische Bedeutung byzantinischer Epigramme edited by Rhoby, A., Hörandne, W. Vienna: Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften. 2007: 75–83
- Containers of Power: Eunuchs and Reliquaries in Byzantium Res. Journal of Anthropology and Aesthetics 2007; 51: 109-120
- Painting or Relief: The Ideal Icon in Iconophile Writing in Byzantium Zograf 2007; 31: 7-13
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The performative icon
ART BULLETIN
2006; 88 (4): 631-?
View details for Web of Science ID 000242684200001
- Icons Women and Gender in Medieval Europe: An Encyclopedia New York: Routledge. 2006
- Icons and Power: The Mother of God in Byzantium Pennsylvania State University Press. 2006
- The 'Activated' Icon: The Hodegetria Procession and Mary's Eisodos Images of the Mother of God: Perceptions of the Theotokos in Byzantium edited by Vassilaki, M. London: Ashgate. 2004: 195–207
- Visual Textuality: The Logos as Pregnant Body and Building Res. Journal of Anthropology and Aesthetics 2004; 45: 225-248
- Madonna, Orthodox History of Childhood edited by Fess, P. S. New York: Macmillan Reference. 2003
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The supernatural protector of Constantinople: the Virgin and her icons in the tradition of the Avar siege
BYZANTINE AND MODERN GREEK STUDIES
2002; 26: 2-41
View details for Web of Science ID 000181722400001
- Figure and Likeness. On the Limits of Representation in Byzantine Iconoclasm CAA Reviews. 2002
- The Virgin of Constantinople: Power and Belief, Byzantine Women and Their World, edited by Kalavrezou, I. New Haven: Yale University Press. 2002: 113–119
- Rhetorical Images of the Virgin: The Icon of the 'Usual Miracle' at the Blachernai Res. Journal for Anthropology and Aesthetics 2000; 38: 34-55
- Imagined Images: Visions of Salvation and Intercession on a Double-Sided Icon from Poganovo Dumbarton Oaks Papers 2000; 54: 139-153