Dreaming of Food in the Early Modern World

Floods, wars, trade, climate change, class distinctions, carnivals and public feasts kept food at the forefront of the early modern imagination. Focusing on Italy, but including its global connections, we will look at the cultures of food as the material of art and literature in markets, vineyards, courts, recipe books, medicine, kitchens, and the dreams of the hungry. Investigating the cultivation, presentation and consumption of food through related arts and the evolution of manners allows us to consider the design of tableware, food sculpture, and tapestries alongside more canonical arts. Some previous art history required, languages helpful. Upperclass seminar.