„Sword’s Reflections”: Public Lecture by Peter Johnsson

On Monday, December 9, 2024, at 17:30, in the Building of the National Archaeological Institute with Museum of BAS, Sofia, 1 Athanas Burov Sq. (opposite of the Presidency), Peter Johnsson lectured on “Swordsmith” within the frame of the academic seminar of the National Archaeological Institute with Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. The lecture is organized with the forthcoming temporary exhibition “Chronicle of Steel. Bladed Weapons from the Bulgarian Middle Ages”.
The history of the sword reaches back 5000 years or more. For millennia, it was a cultural artifact of great significance. It still maintains some of this power, however removed it is from our everyday lives. This lecture will present the sword from the perspective of a swordsmith. The lecture will be in English and will present factors that have impacted the development of the sword in terms of its manufacture, form, and function and discuss a theory of the design principles of the European medieval sword.
Peter Johnson is a world-renowned swordsmith and one of the most influential artists working in this medium today. His work is informed by his profound knowledge of the ancient craft of sword making, wrought from decades of extensive research and documentation of artifacts from the Bronze Age to the early Renaissance in museums across Europe and the United States. The origins of many of the recurring themes present in his work today rise from this passion for history and archeology.
Peter was born in 1965 into a creative household in Uppsala, Sweden. His father, an accomplished sculptor, introduced Peter to the discipline and techniques of a craftsman and nurtured his budding talent. Between 1985 and 1989, Peter pursued a Masters Degree from the University of Arts, Craft and Design in Stockholm. Upon receiving his Masters Degree, he began a decade-long career as a professional illustrator and graphic designer. In 1999, Peter continued his training and completed a BA in decorative metalwork at Stenebyskolan Academy of Design and Crafts, University of Gothenburg Over the last 20 years, Peter has worked internationally as an artist and exhibition curator. His reconstructions of historical swords, edged tools, and weapons are on display in European museums and private collections.
More information about the author and his works you could find on the following site: swordreflectio...