Art and Culture in the Multicultural Middle Ages

The term ‘Middle Ages’ evokes a harsh era of Christian prayers and limited travel. This course challenges that simplistic assumption.
Detail from The Muslim Servant, Cantiga

Detail from The Muslim Servant, Cantiga 192 of the manuscript Las Cantigas de Santa Maria. Spain, late 13th century. Patrimonio Nacional. Real Biblioteca del Monasterio de El Escorial, MS T.I.1, fol. 252v.

Teaching is mainly in the evenings, with the occasional on-site seminar/excursion during the day.

The course explores encounters between Islamic, Jewish, and Christian arts in Europe and around the Mediterranean. Themes include religious coexistence; the travels of objects and artists; and the origins and meanings of artistic materials. The course places art and architecture in their social and cultural contexts. It also considers some theoretical approaches to cultural contact and artistic exchange in an unexpectedly multicultural and dynamic time.



Teaching Format

Instruction is given in the form of lectures and seminars.


Assessment

The course is examined on the basis of a written examination.

Examiner

Autumn semester 2025:
Costanza Beltrami, Associate Professor

The schedule will be available no later than one month before the start of the course. We do not recommend print-outs as changes can occur. At the start of the course, your department will advise where you can find your schedule during the course.


Note that the course literature can be changed up to two months before the start of the course.
Course reports are displayed for the three most recent course instances.



Your teachers are our researchers.


Meet our teachers

Your lecturer is PhD Costanza Beltrami.

Senior lecturer and researcher of Art History

Her work explores Gothic art and architecture in the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries. Geographically, her main focus is Spanish region of Castile and its international connections. Costanza Beltrami is interested in architectural drawings, collaboration, transculturation, and temporality.

More on her research




Course Administrator Art History

Edvin Bergenfalk

expedition.ike@su.se
08163535

Study Councellor Art History

Richard Carlsén

studievagledning.ike@su.se
08164680

Phone hoursModay – Friday 09:00 – 15:00

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