Publisher's Synopsis
The articles in the anthology "Travelling Objects" are dedicated to the exchange of works of art between Italy and the Habsburg Empire during the 17th and 18th centuries. These objects mediated as ambassadors of transfer between North and South and consequently formed an important material basis of cultural relations. They served as diplomatic gifts (Papsthof-Kaiserhof), as a means of bribery (Odescalchi-Kaunitz) or for symbolic communication within the framework of dynastic relationships (Mantua-Vienna, Florence-Innsbruck). Merchants (e.g. in the Duchy of Carniola), aristocrats (Obizzi, Savoy) and ambassadors and envoys (Savelli, Lamberg, Gallas, Albani, Apponyi) acted as transfer agents.
