Routledge - The Agency of Things in Medieval and Early Modern Art

Explore the historical impact of objects in this scholarly volume from Routledge Research in Art History. This book examines the late medieval and early modern periods through the lens of material agency, providing a fresh perspective for art historical study. While the influence of objects is often discussed in archaeology and anthropology, this work applies that concept specifically to the field of art history. Through diverse case studies set in various geographic locations, the contributors analyze how objects functioned within different social systems across Europe and beyond. The research focuses on active things: items that were collected, exchanged, carried, assembled, or even pawned. By looking at how people held, cared for, or moved these objects, the volume reveals the connection between materials, power, and manipulation during these transformative eras.