Acknowledgements
This book marks the culmination of a long and rewarding journey that began with my doctoral studies, conducted under the co-supervision of the Université de Poitiers and the Lebanese University. My academic path has since taken me through postdoctoral research at the Institut National d’Histoire de l’Art in Paris, the Chair of Medieval Art History at the University of Fribourg and the Kunsthistorisches Institut in Florence. Along this journey, I have also had the honour of serving as a professor at the Lebanese University and as an assistant professor at the University of Fribourg, where I currently lead a Swiss National Science Foundation PRIMA project focussed on female artistic patronage.
Throughout my time at these esteemed institutions and through participation in international workshops and conferences, I have had the privilege of meeting and collaborating with exceptional scholars, colleagues and friends. While the list of individuals who have inspired and supported me is long, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Rachid Abi-Khalil, Gaby Abou Samra, Elie Akiki, Anthi Andronikou, Marcel Angheben, Patricia Antaki, Joseph Aoun, Saška Bogevska-Capuano, Sulamith Brodbeck, Julia Burdajewicz, Nano Chatzidakis, Krzysztof Chmielewski, Veronique Dasen, Vincent Debiais, Nada Elias, Khawla El Khoury, Jaroslav Folda, Katarzyna Górecka, Nada Hélou, Mat Immerzeel, Estelle Ingrand-Varenne, Surailla Jabak, Catherine Jolivet-Lévy, Sofia Kalopissi, Chrystel Lupant, Gianfrancesco Lusini, Maria Rosaria Marchionibus, Therese Martin, Jacek Martusewicz, Youssef Matta, Geoffrey Meyer-Fernandez, Pierre Moukarzel, Lévon Nordiguian, Eric Palazzo, Ioanna Rapti, Vincenzo Ruggieri, Athanasios Semoglou, Judith Soria, Anna Tomkowska, Cécile Treffort, Élise Vernerey, Tomasz Waliszewski, Gerhard Wolf, Georges Yarak, Mahmoud Zibawi, the late Martin Aurell and the late Vladimir Sarabianov.
I would especially like to acknowledge the Chair of Medieval Art History at the University of Fribourg, where I have had the immense benefit of receiving invaluable guidance from Michele Bacci. His writings, insightful discussions and profound expertise have been a driving force in shaping my development as a scholar. Thanks to his support, I have had the good fortune of meeting a remarkable group of colleagues and friends who have greatly enriched both my personal and professional life. In particular, I extend my heartfelt thanks to Natalia Chitishvili, Argyri Dermitzaki, Sofia Fernandez Pozzo, Ekaterine Gedevanishvili, Gohar Grigoryan, Kayoko Ichikawa, Thomas Kaffenberger, Adélaïde Mornod, Vesna Šćepanović, Manuela Studer Karlen, Paraskevi Tassou, Alexandre Varela and Sofia Zoitou. Our meaningful discussions, their intellectual generosity and their unwavering support have been a constant source of inspiration, and their contributions, including sharing their research and photographic documentation, have greatly enriched this book.
In particular, I wish to once again express my deepest appreciation to Sofia Zoitou. Although mentioned last, her contribution has been anything but secondary. Her immense generosity, genuine friendship and remarkable professionalism have made a lasting impact on me. I am profoundly grateful for her willingness to read this book and provide invaluable feedback. Her wise observations and thoughtful advice have been indispensable, and I thank her for her steadfast support, which has continually stimulated and encouraged me.
This book has been published with the support of the Swiss National Science Foundation. My appreciation also extends to the editors of the Mediterranean Art Histories [MAH] series, Hannah Baader, Michele Bacci and Gerhard Wolf, for welcoming this volume into their series. Special thanks go to Teddi Dols, the Brill Editor for Middle East and Islamic Studies, as well as Gera van Bedaf, Production Editor, and Kan Wai Min, Open Access Coordinator, for their invaluable assistance. I am equally thankful to Alexandra Pel for her meticulous work in editing and preparing the manuscript for publication.
To all of you, I extend my sincerest thanks for your contributions, guidance and friendship, which have been instrumental in bringing this book to life.