Manuscripts, Prints and Books - Production, Use and Interpretation
Beschrijving
Dive into an immersive 5-day journey exploring the captivating world of religious imagery in manuscripts, books, and prints from the late-medieval and early modern periods. Guided by international experts, you'll uncover the design, materiality, and meaning of these works through hands-on workshops, exclusive library visits, and interactive sessions in Antwerp’s prestigious collections.
Experience the unique atmosphere of historic venues like the Ruusbroec Institute Library and Museum Plantin-Moretus, complemented by practical demonstrations in printing and etching. This is your chance to gain unparalleled insights and engage with rare materials in the heart of Europe’s historic printing capital.
Programma
Join this summer school designed for Master’s students, PhD candidates, and postdocs to explore the fascinating world of religious imagery in the late-medieval and early-modern periods in the Low Countries. This programme features international expert speakers who will delve into the design, materiality, production processes, meaning, and interpretation of religious images.
Programme Highlights
Gain an in-depth understanding of religious imagery through a series of lectures, conceived as hands-on workshops. Topics include the religious images across different media (drawings, etchings, engravings, woodcuts, devotional prints, and book illustrations). Participants will explore both the materiality of religious images—such as design and production—and theoretical approaches, with methodical reflections on modes of interpretation, as well as in-depth analyses of the meaning of individual images.
Introductory sessions will highlight Antwerp’s pivotal role as an international printing center from the 16th century onward, with a special focus on its influence on religious imagery.
Most sessions are hands-on, utilising the exceptional collections of the Ruusbroec Institute Library and the Museum Plantin-Moretus. Participants will have the rare opportunity to handle historical materials, immersing themselves in the tangible history of religious imagery.
With enrollment limited to 15 participants, the summer school fosters interaction and lively discussion between students and expert lecturers.
Participants will enjoy guided tours of:
- The Museum Plantin-Moretus, recognised by Unesco for the historic site, its historical and research libraries and its unique series of business papers dating back to the 16th century.
- The Hendrik Conscience Heritage Library, known for its remarkable architecture and rare collections.
- The Special Collections Department of the University Library, specialising in Jesuitica and Antverpiensia.
This summer school is an unforgettable experience for researchers interested in religious imagery’s role in Western European culture. Through expert-led sessions, historic materials, and unique venues, participants will gain invaluable insights into this pivotal aspect of art history.
Opmerkingen
Successful completion of the programme and the writing of a paper can be awarded with 3 ECTS credits. To obtain these credits, participants need to complete a scientific paper. More information will be shared at the start of the summer school. All certificates of completion are issued as a micro-credential.
Partners: Hendrik Conscience Heritage Library Antwerp, Museum Plantin-Moretus Antwerp, Consortium of European Research Libraries (CERL)
