Religious Imagery in Manuscripts, Prints and Books in The Low Countries
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.