The Study of Collecting: Past, Present And Future

Begun in 1989, the Journal of the History of Collections has played a pivotal role in the development of the study of collecting. A multidisciplinary field by nature, the study of collecting began, arguably, with research into the early modern period and such cabinets of curiosities as those belonging to Hans Sloane and Ulisse Aldrovandi. With 35 complete volumes of the Journal now having been published, the time is ripe for a look at the past, present and future of the field. This will also be an occasion to mark the appointment of Christina M. Anderson as Editor in Chief and the recent retirement of the Journal’s Founding Editor, Arthur MacGregor.

The UCL Centre for Early Modern Exchanges, together with the Journal of the History of Collections, is hosting a roundtable discussion to explore themes that have developed in the field over the past 35 years and to identify new ones that are emerging. In doing so, the event aims to consider not only traditional methodologies but also new approaches that have been developed in the humanities, social sciences, museum studies, heritage, art market, etc., in recent years. It also seeks to address the ways in which Early Modern cabinets of curiosities have inspired contemporary museums, magazines and bloggers.

Short presentations (5-10 minutes) will be given by members of a panel, to include Paula Findlen (Stanford University), Anne Gerritsen (University of Warwick), Anna Garnett (Petrie Museum), Mark Carine (Natural History Museum), and Hélia Marçal (UCL History of Art), among others. These overviews will be followed by a moderated panel discussion and questions from the audience.

Refreshments will be provided. For catering purposes, rsvp to editorjhc@gmail.com

We look forward to seeing you there!

Image credit: the cabinet of a collector with paintings, shells, coins, fossils and flowers (1619), Frans Francken the Younger , Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons