Provenance and Possession: Acquisitions from the Portuguese Empire in Renaissance Italy

A study challenges the assumption that Renaissance Italians cared more about possession than provenance of their newly acquired global goods,documenting the myriad occasions on which global knowledge became dissociated from overseas objects,animals, and people. Lowe suggests that there were compelling reasons for not knowing or caring about provenance and concludes that geographical knowledge was often restricted and not valued.

Format: Hardback
Length: 408 pages
Publication date: 09 April 2024
Publisher: Princeton University Press

A captivating exploration into the complex dynamics of knowledge transfer during the age of the Portuguese trading empire reveals a fascinating insight into the shifting attitudes towards provenance in Renaissance Italy. In the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, Renaissance Italy experienced a remarkable influx of goods originating from Portuguese trading voyages, encompassing a wide array of treasures such as luxury items, exotic animals, and even enslaved individuals. While many historians argue that this global expansion fundamentally altered Europeans' perception of the world, this book challenges that notion by highlighting the prevailing focus of Italians during this era on the possession rather than the provenance of their newly acquired global commodities. Through three detailed case studies involving Florence and Rome, as well as the utilization of unpublished archival materials, author K.J.P. Lowe meticulously documents the myriad instances where knowledge became dissociated from overseas objects, animals, and people.

Lowe delves into fundamental aspects of these imperial imports, including place of origin and provenance, and uncovers the surprising truth that these crucial details often failed to survive the treacherous voyage and reach their intended destination in Europe. She suggests that there were compelling reasons for not knowing or caring about provenance, emphasizing the multifaceted nature of this phenomenon. By meticulously reconstructing the backstories of Portuguese imperial acquisitions, Lowe provides a rich context for her analysis. She traces the phenomenon of mixed-ancestry children at Florences foundling hospital, explores the ownership of inanimate luxury goods, particularly those possessed by the influential Medicis family, and delves into the acquisition of enslaved people and animals.

Through her meticulous research and thoughtful analysis, Lowe sheds light on the complex interplay between geographical knowledge, power, and identity in Renaissance Italy. She challenges the notion that knowledge was always valued and readily accessible, highlighting the limitations and constraints that shaped the acquisition and understanding of global goods. This book offers a valuable contribution to our understanding of the complex relationship between empire, trade, and culture in early modern Europe, providing a fresh perspective on the shifting attitudes towards provenance and the broader implications of imperial expansion.

Weight: 740g
Dimension: 242 x 167 x 35 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691246840