Visual performances of power in the period of the Danish crusades

A notable finding in the Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem, reveals how visual art served as a tool for asserting power during the Danish crusades. Marble columns depicting biblical figures and early Christian saints, including a Norwegian king adorned with Byzantine regalia but bearing Norman insignia, illustrate the fusion of warrior imagery with ecclesiastical authority. This artistic adaptation reflects contemporary ideals of rulership, blending crusade contexts with the aspirations of emerging Christian elites, such as those in Gniezno (Poland) and Schleswig (Denmark). The study analyzes architectural and iconographic elements to demonstrate how visual performances reinforced political ambitions within a limited elite circle during this period.

Markus, K. (2020). Visual performances of power in the period of the Danish crusades. Making Livonia, 70–92. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429296000-5