The two-day international academic conference aims to present recent and ongoing research into the social networks of artists who lived, studied, and worked abroad during the long 19th century. The conference is organized in collaboration with the Academia Belgica.
Embracing a broad chronological and geographical scope, we invite insights spanning the long nineteenth century and various global contexts. By fostering interdisciplinary dialogue across art history, sociology, and digital humanities, and by connecting diverse methodologies and findings across specializations, we aim to deepen our understanding of the transnational social connections that “make” art history.
The Call for Papers is now closed. The conference program will be announced in May.
Giovanna Capitelli (Università Roma Tre), Giovanna Ceserani (Stanford University), France Nerlich (Musée d’Orsay)
Thijs Dekeukeleire (Musea Brugge), Evelien De Wilde (Musea Brugge), Christine Dupont (House of European History), Eva Geudeker (RKD-Netherlands Institute for Art History), Fien Messens (Ghent University and KBR-Royal Library of Belgium), France Nerlich (Musée d’Orsay), Laura Overpelt (KNIR-Royal Netherlands Institute in Rome and Utrecht University), Asker Pelgrom (Nationaal Centrum voor de Nederlandse Buitenplaatscultuur), Veerle Thielemans (Institut national d’histoire de l’art), Laurence Van Kerkhoven (Musea Brugge), Anne Van Oosterwijk (Musea Brugge)
'(Re)searching connections' is part of the research project Apprentice-Master II, conducted by Musea Brugge with the support of the Flemish Government. From 2024 to 2026, we are researching the international trajectories of alumni from the Bruges Academy of Fine Arts during the long 19th century, further contributing to Musea Brugge’s focus on this period as a central collection pillar. The newly established BRON research centre embodies Musea Brugge’s commitment to innovative scholarship.
For suggestions or more information about the conference, feel free to reach out.