Book tips

Ingrid Vermeulen (ed.) Art and Its Geographies Configuring Schools of Art in Europe (1550-1815)

The idea of an art school originated in artistic discussions and spread in several European countries during the early modern period. An art school basically refers to a group of artists or artworks, but its meaning can be interpreted in a variety of ways, such as in terms of learning, origin, style, or country. These ideas were passed on through academies, literature, collections, markets and galleries. In addition, the concept sparked discussions about the ranking of art and artists in Europe. This led to a diverse picture of both unique and interconnected artistic traditions in the European art world. This collection of articles contains 20 contributions that focus on specific examples from Italy, the Low Countries, France, Spain, England, the German Empire and Russia.

The book can be downloaded via Open Access.

Various authors, Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations The Constitution and new technology: ready for the future? Twelve pleas for modernisation of the Constitution

Technological developments raise many questions regarding their impact on legislation and fundamental rights. The Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations has asked several experts, including Professor of Ethics Gerben Meynen, to write about their views on this.

The collection of essays can be downloaded here (in Dutch)

Tiny Polderman The Great Church of Veere

The Great Church of Veere can be seen from a great distance and can perhaps be called one of the most wonderful buildings in the province of Zeeland. VU archaeology alumna and resident of Veere Tiny Polderman wrote a book about it.

Available at Uitgeverij Matrijs (in Dutch)

Nigel van Canterbury (translated by Theo Janssen and Yvo Smit) Speculum stultorum | Fool's Mirror

Nigel of Canterbury (ca. 1140-1200) wrote a spectacular satire in his Speculum stultorum (Fool's Mirror) about the desires of the donkey Burnel. Burnel wants to have a longer tail, obtain an academic title in Paris, become a bishop in his hometown and founder of a monastic order with flexible rules, without celibacy restrictions. But his ambitious wishes all come to nothing, because – as the moral of the story goes – a donkey will always be a donkey. The book is a widely acknowledged literary masterpiece, which humorously sheds light on the injustices in Western European society of the twelfth century.

Theo Janssen is an emeritus professor at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Yvo Smit, an art historian and classicist, is preparing his dissertation on the poetics of the Speculum stultorum.

Available at VU University Press

Call for alumni Philosophy reading group

Starting on Monday 16 December, the alumni Philosophy reading group will discuss the book: What We Have in Common: A Philosophy of “Commonism” by Thijs Lijster. It discusses the increased importance of commons (or citizen collectives) from an anthropological, socio-philosophical and cultural-philosophical perspective. Under the direction of emeritus professor of philosophy Hans Radder, the reading group meets five times, once a month from 19:00 to 20:45.

Registration is still open via h.radder@vu.nl