AH 111 Northeastern University Medieval Iconography and White Supremacy Essay

I’m working on a art writing question and need a sample draft to help me understand better.

Ancient and medieval symbols, styles, and stereotypes have been borrowed, appropriated, and hijacked in a variety of ways. Write a paper on some aspect of the use of ancient OR medieval iconography (and ideas) in contemporary culture.

Some possible subjects

• The assimilation of Romanesque or Gothic architecture styles in 19^th, 20^th and 21^st century religious architecture (you could analyze a particular monument like the BU chapel)
• The assimilation of Near Eastern and Classical architecture styles in public buildings
• The depiction of Egyptian, Greek, or Roman subjects in film (such as ‘Cleopatra’, ‘Gladiator’, ‘Hercules’, or ‘Wonder Woman’)
• The depiction of Middle Ages in films or a film (‘The Da Vinci Code’, ‘Robin Hood’, Monty Python, ‘The Secret of Kells’ even documentaries)
• The use of ancient or medieval symbols by white supremacists
• Medieval representations of chivalry and current gender and behavioral stereotypes
• The depiction of castles in Walt Disney animation vs the real appearance of medieval castles
• The depiction of the Vikings in film, advertising and on TV
• The depiction and understanding of the Holy Grail in contemporary life
• Contemporary controversies about monuments: Hagia Sophia (from Christian church to mosque to museum and now back to mosque) or the debate over how to rebuild the cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris after the fire
• The use of symbols as simple as the halo (as the mural at the site of George Floyd’s murder – sunflower or halo and wings or both and why?)
• The relationship between classical sculpture and the statue of Harry Agganis (by Armand LaMontagne) outside the Agganis Arena

Tips for writing:

This paper will require forethought and creativity. Do talk it over with your TF or with other students – though each of you must work independently on your project. The paper is short, 3-4 pages double-spaced, so we suggest that you focus on a clearly defined theme.

Begin with a clear introduction summarizing the problem you will be addressing. Make sure your analysis of the material in the body of the paper is clear and well structured. End with a conclusion that reaffirms the significance of the material and perhaps explain why you selected it (its fine to use I in this paper). Include illustrations. Reference them in the text. Label and number each illustration. Footnote or endnotes are essential. (Chicago Manuel of Style is standard, but any consistent method is acceptable.) Und dint furgit too pruf red.