Art History at the Library

Transoceanic Dialogues: "Exotic" Arts at Imperial Courts, 1550–1750

Transoceanic trade in the early modern period brought an influx of global arts into cosmopolitan courts around the world. To contextualize and critique the resulting artistic dialogues, noting connections to imperialism and colonialism, we'll look closely at three monarchs: Elizabeth I in England, Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II in Prague, and the Qianlong Emperor in Qing China. We'll examine how these rulers influenced and responded to cross-cultural interactions at their courts - and how they used the arts to legitimize their rule.

About Weili Jin

Weili Jin has been passionate about the history of art ever since first seeing Botticelli in the second grade. Ten years later, he continues to specialize in the paintings of Renaissance Florence, particularly the patronage of the Medici. Most recently, he has worked to develop the YouTube channel “Narrative Art History,” a lecture series that contextualizes Renaissance art in a continuous, chronological narrative.

For more information about The Close Looking Project initiative, visit closelooking.org/.