Presenting my research at the ''Building Identities''-conference, ETH Zürich

For the last three days I have had the pleasure of being in Zürich. The main objective of this trip was to present my research and take part of the conference Building Identities: Character in Architecture and Beyond, 1700-1900.

During which I presented my paper titled: Character at Court: Building Architectural, Royal, and Spatial Identities in the Dowager Queen Sofia Magdalena’s Apartments. Where argued that the visible character of the dowager queen's apartments were based mainly in these key aspects:

- The annotations of Sofia Magdalena's wishes and comments on the architectural plans. Thus, proving her agency and involvement.

- The effect of print culture with the many architectural treatises, in this case primarily focusing on interiors and ornamental sculpture. I showed three examples from Jean Baptiste Masreliez' library as to how print culture influenced his designs.

My presentation was followed by the panel discussion, with Dr. Sigrid de Jong and chaired by Demetra Vogiatzaki, where many interesting questions and discussions arose. I am always very happy to gain new perspectives on my own research, especially as a trained art historian now presenting at ETH Zürich. Possibly the most renowned technical and architectural school in Europe, if not even the world.

Impressively, I also managed to squeeze in a visit to the Hammershøi-exhibition at Kunsthaus Zürich, as well as viewing their permanent exhibitions with works from the 16th, 17th and early 20th-centuries. Seen below is one of their 1920s-exhibits.

The city also spoiled me with magnificent views. As the ETH-campus towers over the city, I had the pleasure of seeing Zürich wake up in the early morning haze.