Crossing the divide: visual cultures of the Crusader Holy Lands
This course explores the main themes and intercultural aspects of ‘Crusader Art’. This fluid term denotes the extraordinary range of works of art and architecture produced in the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem c. 1099-1291 by Muslim and Christian Latin or Byzantine artists for a multicultural clientele in the Holy Land. The influence of the booty of the 1204 Fourth Crusade will also be considered.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
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Each week we will explore a different theme or case study relating to the visual culture of the medieval crusader world. This will include identifying how and why sacred sites such as the Dome of the Rock, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem and Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem were appropriated, redeveloped - and even recreated in the Latin west.
We unpack the iconography and function of hybridised icons, illustrated manuscripts, maps, reliquaries and sacred souvenirs in relation to the wide range of people they were created for: powerful new royals, colonising nobility, knights and pious pilgrims. We look at the impact and influence of extant Byzantine and Islamic art upon artists from the ‘Latin West’ and how local Muslim artists catered for non-Islamic patrons.
Through object case studies we consider the importance of relics, reliquaries and the political afterlives of plundered objects from the Fourth Crusade. Where relevant, we will use primary source accounts to consider the different (and similar) perspectives of the time.
Content guidance: whilst this art history course does not focus on the individual battles and violence of the Crusades, it may include content concerning the intercultural tensions and religious ideologies of the period that some learners might find of a sensitive or challenging nature.
What will we cover?
· The dominance and influence of certain cultures through their art and architecture
· Typology and iconographies of conquest and transmission
· The interculturality of Crusader works of art
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Explain the concept of ‘Crusader art’ and its timeframe and main location in general terms
• Identify some of the main characteristics of Crusader art compared to Latin, Byzantine or Islamic art works of the period
· Describe several key examples of Crusader art or architecture and when, where and why they were produced or adapted
• Discuss a particular sacred site or work of art as evidence of visual interculturality during the Crusader period
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course is open to all. No prior knowledge of the subject is required, although an interest in or basic grasp of Christian iconography would be useful.
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information. This course uses a Google Classroom. Required documents will be printed for students, but supplementary documents will be shared via the Google Classroom. To make the most of the course materials, students should be willing to access the college's Google Classroom for these documents as they will not be emailed or printed for them.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught seminar-style with slide presentations, group discussions and activities designed to consolidate learning. A minimal amount of homework (30 - 60 mins) may be given each week involving undertaking an exercise, reading an article or viewing digital resources, all of which will be available digitally via a Google Classroom. You will be invited to join the Google Classroom within a week of your course start date. Powerpoint slides will not be shared.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
It is hoped to make an off-site visit to nearby Temple Church which may incur an entrance fee (details and any costs to be advised in week 1 or 2). You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes.
Helen’s main area of art historical focus is Byzantium, Late Medieval Italy and their intersections, particularly at places of pilgrimage in the Sinai, the Eastern Mediterranean and the Levantine Holy Land. Helen is an established lecturer at City Lit, The Arts Society and an Associate Lecturer the Courtauld Institute of Art, where she is a currently reading for a part-time PhD in Byzantine art history. She holds two MAs in her subject areas from the Courtauld, as well as a BA Hons in the History of Art, Teacher Training and Fine Art qualifications. Helen is also a professional artist and iconographer, with icon commissions in cathedrals and churches worldwide. Previously she has delivered interdisciplinary courses in icon and late medieval panel painting in the UK, Italy and Sinai Peninsula and worked in the Russian art auction world, museum, community and adult education sectors.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/crossing-the-divide-visual-cultures-of-the-crusader-holy-lands3065611Crossing the divide: visual cultures of the Crusader Holy Landshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/c/r/crossing-the-divide-visual-cultures-of-the-crusader-holy-lands-vb317.jpg239239GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Ancient & medieval world22851136117719041228511771136<p>This course explores the main themes and intercultural aspects of ‘Crusader Art’. This fluid term denotes the extraordinary range of works of art and architecture produced in the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem c. 1099-1291 by Muslim and Christian Latin or Byzantine artists for a multicultural clientele in the Holy Land. The influence of the booty of the 1204 Fourth Crusade will also be considered.</p>003065584Crossing the divide: visual cultures of the Crusader Holy Lands239239https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/c/r/crossing-the-divide-visual-cultures-of-the-crusader-holy-lands-vb317_1.jpgInStockDaytimeMonKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-10-05T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allOct 2026Culture, history & humanitiesVB317239239Crossing the divide: visual cultures of the Crusader Holy Lands239239239Helen Dejeancrossing-the-divide-visual-cultures-of-the-crusader-holy-lands/vb317-2627<p>This course explores the main themes and intercultural aspects of ‘Crusader Art’. This fluid term denotes the extraordinary range of works of art and architecture produced in the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem c. 1099-1291 by Muslim and Christian Latin or Byzantine artists for a multicultural clientele in the Holy Land. The influence of the booty of the 1204 Fourth Crusade will also be considered.</p>0000-Available|2026-10-05 00:00:00<p>Each week we will explore a different theme or case study relating to the visual culture of the medieval crusader world. This will include identifying how and why sacred sites such as the Dome of the Rock, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem and Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem were appropriated, redeveloped - and even recreated in the Latin west.</p><p>We unpack the iconography and function of hybridised icons, illustrated manuscripts, maps, reliquaries and sacred souvenirs in relation to the wide range of people they were created for: powerful new royals, colonising nobility, knights and pious pilgrims. We look at the impact and influence of extant Byzantine and Islamic art upon artists from the ‘Latin West’ and how local Muslim artists catered for non-Islamic patrons.</p><p>Through object case studies we consider the importance of relics, reliquaries and the political afterlives of plundered objects from the Fourth Crusade. Where relevant, we will use primary source accounts to consider the different (and similar) perspectives of the time.</p><p><strong>Content guidance</strong>: whilst this art history course does not focus on the individual battles and violence of the Crusades, it may include content concerning the intercultural tensions and religious ideologies of the period that some learners might find of a sensitive or challenging nature.</p><p>This course explores the main themes and intercultural aspects of ‘Crusader Art’. This fluid term denotes the extraordinary range of works of art and architecture produced in the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem c. 1099-1291 by Muslim and Christian Latin or Byzantine artists for a multicultural clientele in the Holy Land. The influence of the booty of the 1204 Fourth Crusade will also be considered.</p><p>· The dominance and influence of certain cultures through their art and architecture</p><p>· Typology and iconographies of conquest and transmission</p><p>· The interculturality of Crusader works of art</p><p>• Explain the concept of ‘Crusader art’ and its timeframe and main location in general terms</p><p>• Identify some of the main characteristics of Crusader art compared to Latin, Byzantine or Islamic art works of the period</p><p>· Describe several key examples of Crusader art or architecture and when, where and why they were produced or adapted</p><p>• Discuss a particular sacred site or work of art as evidence of visual interculturality during the Crusader period</p><p>The course is open to all. No prior knowledge of the subject is required, although an interest in or basic grasp of Christian iconography would be useful.</p><p>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information. This course uses a Google Classroom. Required documents will be printed for students, but supplementary documents will be shared via the Google Classroom. To make the most of the course materials, students should be willing to access the college's Google Classroom for these documents as they will not be emailed or printed for them.</p><p>You will be taught seminar-style with slide presentations, group discussions and activities designed to consolidate learning. A minimal amount of homework (30 - 60 mins) may be given each week involving undertaking an exercise, reading an article or viewing digital resources, all of which will be available digitally via a Google Classroom. You will be invited to join the Google Classroom within a week of your course start date. Powerpoint slides will not be shared. </p><p>It is hoped to make an off-site visit to nearby Temple Church which may incur an entrance fee (details and any costs to be advised in week 1 or 2). You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes.</p><p>Art across the Medieval world (Gallery Visits)</p><p>To the Holy Mountain: Treasures of Sinai</p><p>Icons and iconography of the Byzantine World</p>Art historyAncient & medieval worldvirtual239239239VB317NONEMon05/10/26 - 30/11/2613:30 - 15:3013:3015:308 sessions (over 9 weeks)85-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetHelen DejeanBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-10-05T00:00:00+00:00Oct 2026Culture, history & humanities239239Crossing the divide: visual cultures of the Crusader Holy Landscrossing-the-divide-visual-cultures-of-the-crusader-holy-lands/vb317-2627<p>This course explores the main themes and intercultural aspects of ‘Crusader Art’. This fluid term denotes the extraordinary range of works of art and architecture produced in the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem c. 1099-1291 by Muslim and Christian Latin or Byzantine artists for a multicultural clientele in the Holy Land. The influence of the booty of the 1204 Fourth Crusade will also be considered.</p>0000-Available|2026-10-05 00:00:00<p>Each week we will explore a different theme or case study relating to the visual culture of the medieval crusader world. This will include identifying how and why sacred sites such as the Dome of the Rock, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem and Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem were appropriated, redeveloped - and even recreated in the Latin west.</p><p>We unpack the iconography and function of hybridised icons, illustrated manuscripts, maps, reliquaries and sacred souvenirs in relation to the wide range of people they were created for: powerful new royals, colonising nobility, knights and pious pilgrims. We look at the impact and influence of extant Byzantine and Islamic art upon artists from the ‘Latin West’ and how local Muslim artists catered for non-Islamic patrons.</p><p>Through object case studies we consider the importance of relics, reliquaries and the political afterlives of plundered objects from the Fourth Crusade. Where relevant, we will use primary source accounts to consider the different (and similar) perspectives of the time.</p><p><strong>Content guidance</strong>: whilst this art history course does not focus on the individual battles and violence of the Crusades, it may include content concerning the intercultural tensions and religious ideologies of the period that some learners might find of a sensitive or challenging nature.</p><p>This course explores the main themes and intercultural aspects of ‘Crusader Art’. This fluid term denotes the extraordinary range of works of art and architecture produced in the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem c. 1099-1291 by Muslim and Christian Latin or Byzantine artists for a multicultural clientele in the Holy Land. The influence of the booty of the 1204 Fourth Crusade will also be considered.</p><p>· The dominance and influence of certain cultures through their art and architecture</p><p>· Typology and iconographies of conquest and transmission</p><p>· The interculturality of Crusader works of art</p><p>• Explain the concept of ‘Crusader art’ and its timeframe and main location in general terms</p><p>• Identify some of the main characteristics of Crusader art compared to Latin, Byzantine or Islamic art works of the period</p><p>· Describe several key examples of Crusader art or architecture and when, where and why they were produced or adapted</p><p>• Discuss a particular sacred site or work of art as evidence of visual interculturality during the Crusader period</p><p>The course is open to all. No prior knowledge of the subject is required, although an interest in or basic grasp of Christian iconography would be useful.</p><p>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information. This course uses a Google Classroom. Required documents will be printed for students, but supplementary documents will be shared via the Google Classroom. To make the most of the course materials, students should be willing to access the college's Google Classroom for these documents as they will not be emailed or printed for them.</p><p>You will be taught seminar-style with slide presentations, group discussions and activities designed to consolidate learning. A minimal amount of homework (30 - 60 mins) may be given each week involving undertaking an exercise, reading an article or viewing digital resources, all of which will be available digitally via a Google Classroom. You will be invited to join the Google Classroom within a week of your course start date. Powerpoint slides will not be shared. </p><p>It is hoped to make an off-site visit to nearby Temple Church which may incur an entrance fee (details and any costs to be advised in week 1 or 2). You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes.</p><p>Art across the Medieval world (Gallery Visits)</p><p>To the Holy Mountain: Treasures of Sinai</p><p>Icons and iconography of the Byzantine World</p>Art historyAncient & medieval worldconfigurable
19041136Ancient & medieval worldhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/art-history/ancient-medieval-world1/2/285/1177/1136/19041/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Ancient & medieval world
