PALAMUSTO: Research and Training for the Palace Museum of Tomorrow
The European Training Network PALAMUSTO of leading European universities, heritage institutions and palace-museums investigates the court residence or palace as a phenomenon of cultural exchange, not only in the past but also today and in the future. Ten PhD students in five different countries examine European palace architecture and interiors and the international connections and exchange in this field. Ten subprojects have been identified, each of which explores a theme in palace architecture diachronically and internationally.
Structures of Strength: Unusual Collaborations on Porous Materials
Structures of Strength will develop workable innovative solutions to societal challenges relating to porous materials; and create discussions across disciplines from which we learn to identify the parallels in the work of different research fields and obtain unique skills that help us act more effectively on future challenges. During the first year, two already formulated cross-boundary challenges related to improving intestinal barriers (a bio-medical challenge) and protecting our historical monuments (a cultural heritage challenge) will be addressed.
Constructing the Limes: Investigating the border of the Roman Empire in the Netherlands
This interdisciplinary programme explores humans and cultures of the area of the limes, the border of the Roman Empire which run roughly from Katwijk, via Utrecht, to Nijmegen. This border was a transition zone between the Roman Empire and the world beyond. This subproject covers the rediscovery of the limes by antiquarians, humanists, and artists in the period 1500-1750 and the early creation of myths about the ancient inhabitants of this part of Europe; the errors in the interpretation of co-called Roman “temples” and “castella” along the Rhine and Donau, and their elaboration in the architecture of the Low Countries, the German states, and beyond.
Dynamics of the Durable: A History of Making Things Last in the Visual and Decorative Arts
How long can an art work survive? This question is typically considered a problem of cultural heritage conservation—as the physical problem of how art can best be kept and stored in its original condition for as long as possible. This research programme investigates the problem of durability in art in an entirely new manner. It turns to the patrons and artists of the past and their ambitions for art’s survival: How did artisans explore ways to make objects durable? What determined the desire of patrons to order and own durable art objects? What social practices and institutions were designed for an object’s survival?
