Trade, economic migration, and violent displacement caused an unprecedented number of people and things to travel across the early modern globe. This seminar explores the portable objects that were created within, and impacted by, the global mercantilism and colonialism of the Spanish and Portuguese empires (1492-1820). We will follow a series of moving items that defy the traditional categories of singular authors or cultures. Their travels span distant points in the colonial maritime world, such as Goa, Manila, Mexico City, Nagasaki, Antwerp, Lisbon, and Potosí. Each week will center around 1-2 selected “Objects in Focus.” Ranging from the high-end to the everyday, these works will include ivories, feather mosaics, silver work, lacquer, ceramics, paintings, prints, textiles, and more. They will intersect with a series of discussions on appropriation, reuse, display intent, theft, copying, gifting, erasure, fashion, labor and race.
- Professor: Samuel Luterbacher