The title is Visual strategies in biblical narratives: A transmedial investigation of Netherlandish carved altarpieces.
In the medieval rural church, as well as in large gothic cathedrals, the altarpiece was an important addition to the inventory. The altarpieces depicted the biblical stories or the saints' legends, and could be presented by opening or closing the wing doors in accordance with the church year. Throughout the Middle Ages, the design of altarpieces changed, not only in their design, materials and size, but also in the iconography. Particularly notable was the development towards a more narrative design, from having represented static figures or scenes. Through a narrative visual medium, the stories were brought closer to viewer.
The Netherlandish altarpieces were produced at the height of this narrative development, and their most distinctive features are the interacting narratives, the animated, lively scenes and the gilded visual splendour. In 1480, bishop Kort Rogge of Strängnäs diocese commissioned a new altarpiece to Strängnäs Cathedral. In doing so, he established connections with the major art markets in Brussels and Antwerp. During the following three decades in the early sixteenth century, the import of carved altarpieces from the Netherlands to Sweden flourished. The Netherlandish altarpieces came to be preserved in many churches in Sweden, and today they constitute a rare art treasure.
Visual strategies in biblical narratives analyses the Netherlandish altarpieces in Sweden with the aim to understand how the biblical stories have been narrated through the cultural frame of reference of the contemporary viewer. In the spatial environments, and the emotional expressions and appearances of the figures, the cultural environment of the early sixteenth century Low Countries is reflected.
Jessica Fröberg. Photo: Sören Andersson / Stockholm University
