City governance and visual impression management: Visual semiotics and the Biccherna panels of Siena

The Biccherna panels of Siena, a series of medieval painted covers and paintings linked to the city's accounts, exemplify how visual artefacts can serve as tools for 'visual governance,' conveying idealized images of orderly administration despite complex underlying realities. This study applies visual semiotics, drawing on Umberto Eco's framework and medieval aesthetics, to demonstrate that art and accounting are intertwined in governance. The research reveals contemporary resonances in corporate annual reporting, suggesting that visual impression management remains a powerful mechanism for addressing conflict and uncertainty in organizational landscapes.

Davison, J., & Giovannoni, E. (2022). City governance and visual impression management: Visual semiotics and the Biccherna panels of Siena. Human Relations, 76(11), 1767–1801. https://doi.org/10.1177/00187267221116035