Visual discourse of distinction: early Netherlandish painting as a vehicle of social and political identity (original) (raw)

The paper explores how early Netherlandish painting served as a medium for expressing social and political identities, primarily through the lens of Bourdieu's concept of habitus. It discusses the role of the city in shaping artistic representation, illustrating how urban elites utilized art to convey status and distinction in a pluralistic artistic environment. The research highlights the interplay between artistic style and social positioning, showing how symbolic capital can illuminate understanding of patronage and aesthetic values during this period.