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Kopiöst original, originell kopia: Om förhållandet mellan två altartavlor i Östergötland

Nilsson, Alfred LU (2024) KOVK03 20232
Division of Art History and Visual Studies
Abstract
Maarten van Heemskerck’s St. Lawrence Altarpiece came to Sweden and Linköping Cathedral in the early 1580s. Around 50 years later, its design was copied by Johan Werner the elder for the altarpiece in Skänninge Vårfrukyrka, within the same diocese. The aim of this thesis is to map and contextualize discrepancies between the two altarpieces, doing so with the following research question: What differences are observed between Heemskerck’s altarpiece in Linköping Cathedral and Werner’s copy in Vårfrukyrkan in Skänninge, and how can these be explained? Through a comparative method based on formal analysis and contextualisation, the paper applies a theoretical framework of visual semiotics, with particular emphasis on Peirce’s sign categories... (More)
Maarten van Heemskerck’s St. Lawrence Altarpiece came to Sweden and Linköping Cathedral in the early 1580s. Around 50 years later, its design was copied by Johan Werner the elder for the altarpiece in Skänninge Vårfrukyrka, within the same diocese. The aim of this thesis is to map and contextualize discrepancies between the two altarpieces, doing so with the following research question: What differences are observed between Heemskerck’s altarpiece in Linköping Cathedral and Werner’s copy in Vårfrukyrkan in Skänninge, and how can these be explained? Through a comparative method based on formal analysis and contextualisation, the paper applies a theoretical framework of visual semiotics, with particular emphasis on Peirce’s sign categories of icon, index, and symbol. While notable literature on Heemskerck’s altarpiece exists, prior research on Werner’s is sparse, and the two works have not been thoroughly compared previously. Examining the categories of symbol, icon, and index, as well as the implications of the surrounding milieu, the thesis identifies several differences between the altarpieces. These differences are grouped into two general categories: simplifying, e.g. by removing excessive iconic signs, and locating, e.g. adjusting depicted objects to have a more contemporary appearance. These mechanisms are speculated to make the images more suitable to Lutheran thought, but this argument is not conclusive. To develop a clearer understanding of the relationship between the altarpieces and their respective contexts, further research is suggested. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Nilsson, Alfred LU
supervisor
organization
course
KOVK03 20232
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
altartavla, altarskåp, Maarten van Heemskerck, Johan Werner d.ä., Linköpings domkyrka, Skänninge Vårfrukyrka
language
Swedish
id
9149415
date added to LUP
2024-09-11 10:23:03
date last changed
2024-09-11 10:23:03
@misc{9149415,
  abstract     = {{Maarten van Heemskerck’s St. Lawrence Altarpiece came to Sweden and Linköping Cathedral in the early 1580s. Around 50 years later, its design was copied by Johan Werner the elder for the altarpiece in Skänninge Vårfrukyrka, within the same diocese. The aim of this thesis is to map and contextualize discrepancies between the two altarpieces, doing so with the following research question: What differences are observed between Heemskerck’s altarpiece in Linköping Cathedral and Werner’s copy in Vårfrukyrkan in Skänninge, and how can these be explained? Through a comparative method based on formal analysis and contextualisation, the paper applies a theoretical framework of visual semiotics, with particular emphasis on Peirce’s sign categories of icon, index, and symbol. While notable literature on Heemskerck’s altarpiece exists, prior research on Werner’s is sparse, and the two works have not been thoroughly compared previously. Examining the categories of symbol, icon, and index, as well as the implications of the surrounding milieu, the thesis identifies several differences between the altarpieces. These differences are grouped into two general categories: simplifying, e.g. by removing excessive iconic signs, and locating, e.g. adjusting depicted objects to have a more contemporary appearance. These mechanisms are speculated to make the images more suitable to Lutheran thought, but this argument is not conclusive. To develop a clearer understanding of the relationship between the altarpieces and their respective contexts, further research is suggested.}},
  author       = {{Nilsson, Alfred}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Kopiöst original, originell kopia: Om förhållandet mellan två altartavlor i Östergötland}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}