Are domain-specific theoretical approaches valuable for the application of new computational methods? The case study of Erwin Panofsky's artworks interpretations and the semantic web

Ein Beitrag zur Digital History 2023: Digitale Methoden in der geschichtswissenschaftlichen Praxis: Fachliche Transformationen und ihre epistemologischen Konsequenzen, Berlin, 23.-26.5.2023.

Abstract: Recently, researchers have shown an increasing interest in the analysis of art-related topics using computational methods. Scholars claim that theoretical perspectives integrated into computational methods may be beneficial when applied to a wider number of artworks, e.g. to ensure consistency and soundness of results. In this article, we examine whether an ontological representation of Erwin Panofsky’s approach to artwork interpretations can be validated via quantitative analysis. To this end, we created a Linked Open dataset containing interpretations about ca. 400 artworks, mostly from Middle Ages and Renaissance Western art, modelled according to a new ontology based on the art historian’s theory. The research aims at verifying whether 1) data structured according to Panofsky’s theory allow answering relevant research questions, and 2) whether characteristics emerging from the data analysis are consistent with his theory. Results show that the creation of an ontology and semantic web data following Panofsky’s theory are fit for a computational approach to the study of iconography and iconology and for quantitatively characterising the art historian’s approach.