Some actors have played a crucial role in the realisation of this diet staple, yet their part has been overshadowed by the object’s visual and symbolic presence. When used as a lens, however, cheese helps cast light on the people, other organisms, and places that were connected by it. During this colloquium, Maroesjka Verhagen turns towards the place of origin of early modern Dutch cheese – the farm – to explore the everyday practice of the (largely female) producers. In her talk, Verhagen reflects on historical reconstruction to aid analysis of prescriptive texts and imagery. What does execution of a material process reveal? And what significance can be attributed to different actors involved in cheese making?

Amsterdam Centre for Studies in Early Modernity (ACSEM)

ACSEM is formerly knows as Amsterdam Centre for the Study of the Golden Age. The new name comes with a new annual program - the Object Quolloquia Series. The series has the overarching theme: Exploring the World through the Material Turn. All speakers have taken up the challenge of creating a coherent, interdisciplinary program. Thanks to them, it promises to be a year of in-depth discussion and new acquaintances. The full annual program can be found below. 

The Object Quolloquia Series

The Object Colloquia Series explores the world through the material turn. Each interdisciplinary duo of speakers takes one object or product as a point of departure to study and discuss various aspects of Early Modern art, culture, and history. These series are organized by the Amsterdam Centre for Studies in Early Modernity (ACSEM).