Colonial Objects in Early Modern Sweden and Beyond explores the history of colonial objects in Sweden, from their acquisition in colonial contact zones to their display in the Kunstkammer and eventually, in modern museums. The book examines the complex legacies of colonialism and their relevance to current museum crises.
Recommended for: Scholars and students of art history, material culture, and early modern studies who are interested in the history of colonialism and its ongoing impact on museums and cultural institutions.
You will:
• Explore the history of colonial objects in Sweden, from their acquisition to their display in the Kunstkammer and modern museums
• Gain insights into the complexities of colonialism and its ongoing impact on museums and cultural institutions
• Learn about the social and cultural context of colonial object collecting in early modern Sweden
• Understand the debates surrounding the display and interpretation of colonial objects in modern museums
• Discover how colonial objects can be used to address issues of decolonization and cultural restitution
Detailed Overview
Colonial Objects in Early Modern Sweden and Beyond is a comprehensive study of the history of colonial objects in Sweden, from their acquisition in colonial contact zones to their display in the Kunstkammer and eventually, in modern museums. The book is divided into three parts, each focusing on a different aspect of colonial objects.
The first part situates the objects in two distinct but related spaces: the expanding space of the colonial world, and the exclusive space of the Kunstkammer. The second part traces the objects’ physical and epistemological transfer from the Kunstkammer to the modern museum system. The final part considers colonial objects at the center of a heated debate over the present state of museums, and their possible futures.
Through a detailed analysis of colonial objects, including a tomahawk from North America and a Goavddis from Northern Sapmi, the book examines the complex legacies of colonialism and their relevance to current museum crises. It argues that colonial objects can be used to address issues of decolonization and cultural restitution, and that they offer a unique opportunity for museums to engage with their colonial pasts and presents.
The book is based on extensive research and is written by Mårten Snickare, Professor of Art History at Stockholm University and Director of Accelerator, an exhibition space at the university where art and science meet. It is a timely and important contribution to the ongoing debates about colonialism, museums, and cultural heritage.
Citation and Licensing
Mårten Snickare. AUP. (2022). Colonial Objects in Early Modern Sweden and Beyond. https://www.aup.nl/en/book/9789048554942/colonial-objects-in-early-modern-sweden-and-beyond
This ebook is published under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0). The full licence terms are available at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
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