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IMC 2007: Sessions

Session 721: Cities in Medieval Italy and Italians in Medieval Cities, II: Civic Identity - Images, Motifs, Myths

Tuesday 10 July 2007, 14.15-15.45

Sponsor:School of History & Archives, University College Dublin / Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge
Organisers:Edward Coleman, Department of History,
William R. Day, Department of Coins & Medals, Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge
Moderator/Chair:Christine E. Meek, School of Histories & Humanities, Trinity College, Dublin
Paper 721-aUrban Image and Civic Identity in Medieval Sienese Painting
(Language: English)
Judith Steinhoff, School of Art, University of Houston
Index terms: Art History - Painting, Political Thought
Paper 721-bRomulus and Remus Revisited: Civic Identity in Late Medieval Siena
(Language: English)
Carrie Beneš, Division of Social Sciences, New College of Florida
Index terms: Architecture - Secular, Mentalities, Politics and Diplomacy
Paper 721-cFounders and Heroes in the Late Medieval Italian Commune
(Language: English)
Brendan Cassidy, School of Art History, University of St Andrews
Index terms: Art History - General, Art History - Painting, Art History - Sculpture, Politics and Diplomacy
Abstract

This session explores the ways in which a sense of civic identity was visually evident in the late medieval city commune. In this context the papers consider a variety of artistic media including painting, sculpture, architecture, seals, coins, and graffiti. They analyse the specific political messages that the patrons of these works sought to convey and, more generally, seek to understand the meaning of iconic buildings and mythical figures such as city founders in the civic consciousness. Examples will be drawn from various cities but particular attention will be paid to Siena.