Paper Heritage in Italy, France, Spain and Beyond (16th to 19th Centuries): Collector Aspirations & Collection Destinies

This book explores how men and women in Italy, France, and Spain collected, displayed, and passed down various types of papers from the 16th to the 19th centuries. It focuses on the owners of the collected objects and their desires for their accumulated papers, shifting the focus away from collections and institutions. The volume covers three centuries and provides insights into the aspirations of collectors and the fate of their papers after transmission, taking into account major social, political, and cultural changes affecting the Italian peninsula, the Spanish monarchy, and France.

Format: Unspecified
Length: 328 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into a profound exploration of the intricate relationship between men and women in Italy, France, and Spain during the captivating era spanning from the late 16th to the late 19th centuries. It takes a long-term approach, meticulously tracing the intricate tapestry of how these societies collected, displayed, and passed down a diverse array of papers. The contributors, each with a shared passion for understanding the dynamic interplay between social actors and their paper heritage, come from diverse cultural, social, and gender backgrounds, offering invaluable insights into the motivations and processes behind the accumulation, valuation, and transmission of these precious artifacts.

In a departure from traditional studies on collecting, this book shifts its focus away from collections and institutions to the individuals who own the collected objects and their profound desires for their accumulated papers. Spanning three centuries, this volume offers a rich tapestry of insights into the aspirations of collectors and the fate of their papers after transmission. Set against the backdrop of significant social, political, and cultural transformations that shaped the Italian peninsula, the Spanish monarchy, and France, the book sheds light on the broader cultural interests and collector networks that often extended beyond the boundaries of Europe.

The essays included in this volume vividly illustrate the multifaceted nature of paper heritage, showcasing the diverse ways in which it shaped individuals, communities, and societies as a whole. From personal letters and diaries to official documents and artistic creations, these papers serve as tangible witnesses to the lives and experiences of those who created and preserved them. Through their narratives, the book sheds light on the complex interplay between personal expression, social status, and the broader historical context, providing a nuanced understanding of the role that paper heritage played in shaping the cultural and intellectual landscape of the time.

Paper Heritage in Italy, France, Spain, and Beyond (16th to 19th Centuries) will captivate scholars and students of Early Modern and Modern European History, spanning a wide range of disciplines such as social and cultural history, intellectual history, gender history, history of collecting and patronage. This interdisciplinary volume offers a valuable contribution to our understanding of the past, illuminating the intricate connections between individuals, societies, and the material world, and paving the way for future research and exploration in this field.

Weight: 790g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032447995