Foreword

14 October 2020 

Since the start of 2020, the world as we know it has changed immeasurably. As such, we would like to open by saying a huge thank you to each of the authors and the members of our editorial board for all of the hard work they have put in despite huge obstacles and ever-increasing uncertainties. We acknowledge that it has not been at all easy to make the shift to working from home and that the extended closure of archives, museums, galleries, and libraries has been particularly problematic for all practitioners of our discipline. It is a testament to our authors and the editorial board that, despite these factors, they have pulled through and produced such an excellent issue. Whilst there were - and continue to be - some extremely tough weeks, it has been inspiring to see that such innovative and exciting research can still be produced even in such tricky circumstances. 

We also want to express our gratitude to the journal’s peer reviewers who, notwithstanding their other responsibilities, continue to generously lend us their time and to contribute their expertise to the editorial process. Within the department at York we would like to thank Dr Richard McClary and Dr Cordula van Wyhe for reading through the final proofs before they were released for publication. We owe Cordula a special thanks for continuing to offer us ceaseless aid and support: Aspectus would not have started, let alone flourished, without her. 

We hope that the fascinatingly diverse range of topics discussed by our authors provides intellectual stimulation and inspiration, and that this issue reminds our readers of the joy that the discipline of art history is capable of prompting. We strongly believe in equal access regardless of background, institutional affiliation, or status, and, as such, Aspectus remains digitised and open-access. 

Even as uncertain circumstances continue, we are entirely confident in the abilities of our new Editors-in-Chief, Charlotte Davis and Katerina Perdiki, to carry the journal forward and continue publishing excellent research as it is produced by our student body and alumni. 

Once again, we thank all involved with Aspectus for the time and effort they have given, and we look forward to continuing to share the dynamic research born from the department in next year’s issue.

Signed,

Caitlin Doley & Marte Stinis

Editors-in-Chief, 2019-2020