11)

Call for papers:

Annual meeting, Renaissance Society of America, 24-26 March
2011, Montreal

Scientists, travellers and antiquarians and the problem of
credibility of wonders in the early modern period

This panel seeks to reach a better understanding of the
coexistence of 'rational' and 'irrational' forms of thinking in
Europe in the early modern period. Long-standing traditions
that claimed, for instance, the existence of monsters, giants,
prodigies and prophecies of various kinds, stood along a growing
impetus on relying on the direct examination of nature. In an
attempt to make sense of the complexity of the world, these two
complementary approaches to reality coexisted for centuries and
pervaded everyday life at all levels of society. Historians,
anthropologists and philosophers interested in different
geographical and historical contexts have attempted various
interpretations of this peculiarity of early modern culture
suggesting a variety of different interpretations. This panels
will explore this paradox and in particular unfold the narrative
and rhetorical strategies adopted in early modern visual and
literary accounts of wonders.

Please send abstracts (of 150 words maximum) for a 20 minute
paper. Provide a brief CV, with full name, email address,
institutional affiliation, title of paper and any A/V
requirements you may have by May 15 to Guido Rebecchini
(guido.rebecchinigmail.com)