Historic House Museums: Conserving & Curating Architecture, Interiors and Collections
Dates: 24 June – 1 July 2024,
Credits: 5 EC (can be expanded to 6 EC in case your university uses units of 6 EC p. course)
Instruction language: English
Convenors: Dr Eloy Koldeweij (RCE/UU), Prof. Dr Koen Ottenheym (UU, K.A.Ottenheym@uu.nl), guest speakers
Coordination: OSK (osk-fgw@uva.nl)
Registration: Via website and send a CV and short letter of motivation to osk-fgw@uva.nl.
Over 150 historical house museums exist in The Netherlands. These include not only medieval castles, 18th-century manor houses and distinguished town houses, but also, for example, examples of modest public housing and iconic artist’s homes from the 20th century, and houses preserved in remembrance of a special historical event. Many of these houses are unique not only because of their architecture but also because of their special interior finish and accompanying furniture and other domestic items. By ‘house museums’, we certainly do not mean ‘ordinary’ art museums located in a nice old building, but to houses that themselves, with their authentic interiors and contents, form the core of ‘the museum’. This is another part of the job market for art historians because these museums need staff members who know how to deal with such special ensembles (‘conserving’) and who can interpret the history of occupancy and the role of architects and other artists involved (‘curating’).
In this OSK course, we aim to explore a wide range of types of historic house museums, from different periods, from the late Middle Ages to the 20th century. We will look at the art historical and architectural developments of these buildings (including the history of interior design). Students will also be introduced to the methods and problems of preserving such fragile interiors. In addition, we will also explore why these properties lost their original residential function and were turned into museums. In doing so, we will also explore the ways in which the (art) historical story is told to the public in today’s museum presentation.
The course will consist of a week full of lectures (in Utrecht) by both lecturers, guest lectures and field trips during which the curators will give us on-the-spot explanations of their work (Mo 24- Fr 28 June). Finally, at the beginning of the following week (Monday 1 July), the students will give a presentation on a historical museum house of their choice (which will then be developed into a paper). In early June (date to be announced) we will organize a kick-off meeting where we will explain the details of the course and the requirements for the final paper.
More information on the programme will follow soon