Collections and Visual Knowledge in Early Modern Europe: 1400-1800

Examines the ways in which collections organized and developed new kinds of knowledge and practices. Collections were decisive in the formation of art, history, science, religion, politics, and international relations. We will discuss the rationales behind these different kinds of collections, the order in which things were placed, the visual organization and architecture that created the first museums, and the economics of collections. Attention to the collections of kings, artists, natural scientists, middle class citizens, humanists, and the devout will provide examples from a wide variety of perspectives. Enrollment limited to 20.