Images and Identity in Fifteenth-Century Florence by Patricia Lee Rubin
Lauren Grace Kilroy
REVIEWS 318 tions on symbolic language and political structures. The title article of the book, which was Reuter’s inaugural lecture as chair Medieval History at University Southampton, begins by discussing perception medieval historians benign, often uninteresting members academy British society . Reuter argues that period when many European nations first came to be, thus is critical understanding contemporary national identity. Yet for this approach has a serious pitfall: nationcentric history, deters from comparative studies led “European models” are representative one region. For example, “feudal revolution” composed French writing about France supplemented with couple medievalists Mediterranean. Thus highly localized terminology models inhibited assessment relevance these outside France. In address, presents two means overcoming problem arguing reflection our working assumptions enhancing accounts greater awareness Europe not just his essay meaning Canossa, where in January 1077 King Henry IV performed public penance snow three days, rejects common event deeply humiliating German king overturning long standing notions held Germans their nation ’s relationship between church country. By tracing history late antiquity into Salian period, determines performance Canossa an ambiguous ritual, presented way out difficult situation both sides. This collection essays harmonizes well because methodological goals advocated section book applied remainder it brings together series papers have very different topics audiences. wrote place Carolingian tradition Ottonian royal legitimization major international exhibition Magdeburg kings. Although targeted lay audience, draws ideas latest scholarship discusses complex accessible level. interest kings minimal before 987 rule structured consciously un-Carolingian. conclusions Ottonians make sing, instead how he connects trends East Francia larger historical debates dynastic self-project early modern Europe, process remembering, creation continuity joint project experts symbols. aptly described Janet Nelson labor love, I would add fitting tribute much-missed member community. SARAH WHITTEN, History, UCLA Patricia Lee Rubin, Images Identity Fifteenth-Century Florence (New Haven London: Yale Press 2007) xxiii + 418 pp., ill. Rubin’s new, handsomely-illustrated center attention. While occupied prominent Italian Renaissance studies, few scholars addressed single work vast amounts sources available. other hand, makes her goal “to take ad- 319 vantage rich findings recent order enrich art-historical period” (xi). She weaves dense tapestry information together, yet text seamless package. Rather, complicated occasionally offers conflicting social life Florence. nature only further underscores contents book. Despite its focus Florence, essentially vision visuality, or Rubin states, “social dynamics visual” (xii). Some she include visual culture “conventual constructions reality” (2); artistic skill currency; technologies Florence; gendered viewing; Dante vision; visuality devotion. Unfortunately, review will allow me discuss everything...
Comitatus-a Journal of Medieval and Renaissance Studies