The wealth of medieval art found in Lutheran churches is unparalleled; contrary to what is generally believed, Lutherans were often tolerant to medieval church interiors, maintaining or altering the use of furnishings and images or simply accepting them as neutral things (adiaphora) and as objects of tradition. In consequence, paradoxically, it is Protestant churches that offer the most insight into what churches looked like before the Reformation. In his lecture, Justin Kroesen will present a visual exploration of "The Lutheran Middle Ages", echoing the title of his recent monograph on medieval art in Lutheran churches in Germany. An overview of the scope of the phenomeon in Lutheran Germany and Scandinavia is followed by a discussion about the primary factors in the survival of medieval art through five centuries of Protestantism.
Justin Kroesen is Professor of Cultural History, specializing in the material culture of Christianity, and scientific curator of the art collection of the University Museum. The main focus of my research is on the art and architecture of medieval churches and their treatment in the period of the Reformations.