The Symbolic Strategies of Amédée VIII: A Utopian Vision Examined through Alignments and Artistic Representations

Abstract

This article explores the intricacies of the Duchy of Savoy during the 15th century, exploring its complex connections with Africa, the Crusades, and the Holy Empire. Focused on the reign of Amadeus VIII, who later became Pope Felix V, the study investigates the unique devotion to Saint Maurice d'Agaune and Saint Anthony the Great within the Duchy. The research unveils new evidence through architectural alignments, religious symbolism, and artistic representations, notably analyzing Konrad Witz's "La Pêche miraculeuse." It  discovers significant alignments from Chambéry to Ripaille, Basel, and Magdeburg, indicating political and symbolic strategies. The article  introduces the concept of an "inclined cross," aligning Savoy with Magdeburg, Cyprus, Rhodes, and Turin. The symbolic reading of  the Savoy Knot, associated with the motto Foedere et Religione Tenemur (F.E.R.T), suggests a mnemonic tool possibly derived from  maritime practices, providing insights into the Duchy's unique strategies and perspectives. This Savoyard motto, a relic of the Middle  Ages and some of its medals or coins, happily cultivated its reputation for mystery or obscure meaning. The methodology involves  expanding references, exploring heraldry, and examining religious and spiritual connections. The article proposes a potential link  between Savoy's alignments and Egyptian or Ethiopian influences, supported by pilgrimages from these regions. It suggests the  existence of a coherent utopia imagined by Amadeus VIII, fostering a new perspective on the artistic achievements of the time. The  erasure of symbolic constructions, orchestrated by subsequent figures like Enea Silvio Piccolomini, is discussed, leaving enigmatic traces  of the Duchy's engagement with Africa.