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IMC 2026: Sessions

Session 1502: Birgitta of Sweden and Her Legacy, I: Perspectives on the Nativity Vision

Thursday 9 July 2026, 09:00-10:30

Organisers:Iliana Kandzha, Arnamagnæan Institute / Institut for Nordiske Studier og Sprogvidenskab, Københavns Universitet
Barbara Müller, Institut für Christentumsgeschichte und Historische Theologie, Universität Hamburg
Moderator/Chair:Barbara Müller, Institut für Christentumsgeschichte und Historische Theologie, Universität Hamburg
Paper 1502-aVisions as Inspirations: The Transformation of the Nativity Scene of Jesus through Birgitta's Revelations
(Language: English)
Veronika Jung, Diözesanmuseum St. Afra
Index terms: Art History - General, Hagiography, Theology
Paper 1502-bBirgitta of Sweden and the Hamburg Merchant Guild: Imitatio Mariae in the Thomas-Altarpiece
(Language: English)
Ayu Okumura, Kyoto University / Zentralinstitut für Kunstgeschichte, München
Index terms: Art History - Painting, Lay Piety, Religious Life, Women's Studies
Paper 1502-cThe Use of Textiles in Birgitta of Sweden and the Brigittine Order
(Language: English)
Anna Mikaela Platander, Independent Scholar
Index terms: Art History - Decorative Arts, Hagiography, Monasticism, Religious Life
Abstract

The two sessions on "Birgitta of Sweden and her Legacy" (I: Perspectives on the Nativity Vision. II: Spiritual and Political Cultures) combine interdisciplinary approaches to studying Birgitta of Sweden, namely from the standpoints of historical studies, theology, and art history. By exploring Birgitta’s multifaceted identity as a visionary, mother, political actor, foundress of the order, and saint, the sessions aim to highlight the subtle overlaps between them—or the lack of such—in the way her spiritual and political heritages played out in the centuries after her death.

The first session in the series scrutinizes the role of Birgitta’s Nativity Vision in the Marian doctrine, the iconography of this scene, and its influences on Birgitta’s canonization process.

The second session looks into the spiritual and political implications of Birgittine visions and her canonization, especially for the Northern European region.