Max Hello

Please tell us about your research project.

I am a doctoral student in medieval art history at Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University and affiliated with the HiCSA laboratory. My research focuses on Merovingian illumination, an ornamental painting style that emerged in monastic workshops in the north of the Frankish kingdom during the 7th century and continued to develop shortly after the middle of the 8th century. This synthesis aims to fit into a broader historical perspective covering the history of books during this period and all its components – paleography, codicology, and philology.

Could you please tell us a bit more about your scholarship/exchange programme?

My stay at the MFO during September 2025 was made possible thanks to the monthly scholarship. This opportunity allows me to consult several manuscripts preserved in England – Oxford, London, and Cambridge – and to work in an ideal setting where I can find all the bibliographic sources I need for my research. It also allows me to take advantage of the particularly dynamic environment that exists there for research on the early Western Middle Ages and to meet researchers specialising in this period.

First impressions of Oxford/the University?

Oxford is the ideal setting for any researcher. It is very peaceful, you can easily get some fresh air, the city is on a human scale and offers many cultural and sporting activities. At the same time, it offers a wide range of facilities for research and is home to many scholars with whom it is easy to meet.