IMC 2023: Sessions

Session 1101: The Body in Medieval Art, II

Wednesday 5 July 2023, 11.15-12.45

Sponsor:	Universiteit van Amsterdam
Organiser:	Wendelien A. W. Van Welie-Vink, Afdeling Kunst- en cultuurwetenschappen, Universiteit van Amsterdam
Moderator/Chairs:	Huib Iserief, Afdeling Kunst- en cultuurwetenschappen, Universiteit van Amsterdam Aleksandra Stanek, Instytut Historii Sztuki University of Gdański
Paper 1101-a	'Deus ex machina'?: The Moving Body of Christ (Language: English) Wendelien A. W. Van Welie-Vink, Afdeling Kunst- en cultuurwetenschappen, Universiteit van Amsterdam Index terms: Art History - General, Art History - Painting, Art History - Sculpture
Paper 1101-b	The Holy Spirit Embodied on the Rhineland Altar Piece (Language: English) Jip van Reijen, Faculteit der Geesteswetenschappen, Universiteit van Amsterdam Index terms: Art History - General, Art History - Painting
Paper 1101-c	Frozen in Crystal: The Celestial Body (Language: English) Mattie M. van den Bosch, Faculteit der Geesteswetenschappen, Universiteit van Amsterdam Index terms: Art History - Decorative Arts, Art History - General
Paper 1101-d	Holy Ambiguity: Queerness in the St Sebastian Triptych by the Master of the Holy Kinship (Language: English) Christiaan Veldman, Museum Catharijneconvent, Utrecht Index terms: Art History - General, Art History - Painting
Abstract	The University of Amsterdam's continuing research on the Body in medieval Art recently culminated in an exhibition in Museum Catharijneconvent, Utrecht, demonstrating its potential for further research and answering new questions. During our two sessions at IMC 2023 we will build on methods and conclusions presented at previous strands in IMC's on the Body in Medieval Art. We will present new topics within the concept of the Body. This time we will explore new dimensions within and beyond the iconography of the body. One session will focus on the handling of the body, such as 'acting sculptures' in theatre and liturgy. The other session will discuss a variety of bodily details that provide fascinating insight into how mundane actions can be considered celestial or of celestial importance: pointing toward genitals in relation to fertility or the grasping of a nose because of a foul smell. Small bodily details and actions can have far reaching consequences for its interpretation. Through material and iconographical art historical research we aim to provide new insights into the medieval artist and audience's perception of the body; both their own as well as the bodies they venerate or despise.