Landscape Archaeology Conference 2024

Session 6: "The noble landscape and its residence: The powerful intersection of art, architecture and environment"
Conveners: Krista De Jonge (KU Leuven), Cato Leuraers (KU Leuven), Sanne Maekelberg (KU Leuven).

The nobility’s constructed landscape encompassed meticulously designed gardens, agricultural lands, hunting forests, as well as the residence and its satellite structures such as stables, home farms and mills. In some cases, the designed environment is all that remains of this system. Landscape, in this context, is perceived as a deliberately shaped system of spaces, a testament to and an embodiment of human concerns (Jackson, 1984; Hunt, 2016). The creation of this system implies a significant connection between the exterior and interior of these residences. Notably, noble patrons sought expansive vistas over their carefully curated surroundings, facilitated by the characteristic large windows of early modern palace architecture. The presence of landscape within the noble residence extended beyond the views from inside to outside. Landscape elements were often prominent features in paintings, and at times, even the central subject matter. These landscape paintings frequently showcased the patron’s own possessions. An iconic example of such artwork can be found in Giusto Utens’ lunettes, depicting seventeen de Medici villas and their surroundings at the end of the sixteenth century.

This session aims to explore the intricate interplay between the portrayal of landscapes within early modern noble residences and the tangible environments surrounding them. We invite proposals that study the relationship between the landscape and its stylized representation. This includes depictions of villas and estates, the perception of these landscapes, the interplay between the landscape and the residence, representational facets of the residence in connection to the landscape, potential relationships between the decorative themes within the residence and the surrounding landscape, as well as analyses of landscapes with lost residences using preserved imagery. These connections and relationships can shed a new light on existing landscapes, or even identify ‘lost’ landscapes. This sesssion’s theme lies at the crossroads of different disciplines: landscape archaeology, art history, landscape history and architectural history.A transdisciplinary landscape approach will notably improve our understanding of the relationship between noble patrons, their residences and the surrounding landscapes. We invite research papers addressing, but not limited to the following topics:
- The relation between representations of the landscape and the tangible environment.
- The connections established between the exterior and the interior of noble residences and their surrounding landscape.
- Analysis of how noble residences and their surroundings were visually represented in landscape paintings and the role of these representations in shaping the viewer’s perception of the landscape.
- Exploration of how noble patrons used the visual representations of their landscapes, as well as the landscapes themselves, as a means to project power and cultural ideals.
- Analysis of existing landscapes with lost residences using preserved imagery

By bringing together different case studies from all over the world, we hope to develop these research questions further. We welcome scholars from different disciplines to submit, to reach an interdisciplinary discussion on early modern landscape and its representations.

Art and architectural historians are most welcome. Submissions from people from all career stages will be considered.

Please send a 300 word abstract, written in English, via the online submission form on the conference`s website (https://lac2024.com). The title is limited to 25 words and 5 key words must be provided. The deadline for abstracts is 19 February 2024.

Contact: sanne.maekelbergkuleuven.be