Willis, Zoë F. (2012) Saint cults and the politics of power in the Dalmatian commune of Zadar (1000-1468). PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

Preview

Text WRAP_THESIS_Willis_2012.pdf - Submitted Version Download (68Mb) | Preview

Request Changes to record.

Abstract

The city of Zadar lies upon the Dalmatian coast of modern Croatia. Zadar’s
position during the medieval period was that of an affluent port, poised
between the markets of East and West, the Balkan hinterland and maritime
Adriatic. Such a location made it a strategic colonial target for both Venice and
the Kingdom of Hungary. This thesis examines the influence of these political,
economic and cultural forces upon the commune’s powerful markers of local
identity: its saints’ cults. Zadar’s past wealth created a significant cache of
associated metalwork and ecclesiastical architecture that has received little
attention beyond the Balkans. Beginning with a grand historical narrative -
drawn together from the scholarship of Zaratine, Venetian and Hungarian
histories - the complex rivalries and ambitions of the various regional
protagonists are highlighted. Zadar’s role within these relations, be it peripheral
or central, had an impact upon the commune’s social structures and networks.
A study of archival sources indicates a blurring of boundaries between
identities, both local and foreign, rather than the stark contrasts that often
define the city’s histories. Patronage is also an important aspect of this study,
showing how sacral works of art and monumental ecclesiastical structures were
important tools in strengthening position and power. The results of such
largesse were developments in the cults of Saints Chrysogonus, Simeon the
Prophet and Mark the Evangelist. These reveal the flow of cultic practices and
artistic trends through Europe, with Zaratine audiences aware of and
demanding the most current in their local commissions. Each case study
considers ritual, iconography and architectural space, thus contributing
additional facets to the understanding of Medieval Zaratine identity.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Subjects:	D History General and Old World > DR Balkan Peninsula N Fine Arts > N Visual arts (General) For photography, see TR
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Zadar (Croatia) -- History -- To 1500, Cults -- Croatia -- Zadar -- History -- To 1500, Saints -- Croatia -- Zadar, Art -- Croatia -- Zadar -- History -- To 1500
Official Date:	May 2012
Dates:	Date Event May 2012 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Department of History of Art
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Cooper, Donal
Sponsors:	Arts & Humanities Research Council (Great Britain) (AHRC) ; Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation ; University of Warwick
Extent:	xx, 364, [83] leaves : ill., maps
Language:	eng

Request changes or add full text files to a record

Repository staff actions (login required)

View Item

Downloads