These nineteen papers focus on the 1480-1610 period in England, France and Spain, offering a range of views on the use of images to spectacular ends in institutional form or in artifacts.
After a recall of what neurophysiology says about brain treatment of images and what dominant codings of image may have been in Renaissance commonalty culture, four studies examine the way propagandistic imagery operates and its various effects, from benign submission to fierce opposition. Most studies, however, review accepted or moot points regarding interpretation of plays or staging. Interestingly, even if the papers build on different premises, they come up with fairly consistent findings about theatrical coding and image reception.
While the selection helps see why study of popular shows - including plays - needs be rooted in the broadest cultural context, it also illustrates how basic similitudes in the strategic use, and the impact, of images underlie superficial generic differences.