About us
The research group Histories of Art, Architecture and Visual Culture (VISU) offers a platform for fundamental research on the history and theory of art, architecture and visual culture from the early modern period up to the present. We study not only the artistic and architectural practice, the material object and the spatial environment, but also the broader cultural, historical and societal context, which often relates to current themes such as new media, visualisation of conflict and war, urbanisation, sustainability, multiculturality and globalisation. Key questions concern the circulation of images, artefacts, practices and knowledge across boundaries. These cross-overs are understood as mutual interactions between the different arts and as exchanges between different cultures, traditions, regions or periods.
Recent News
Vacancy: 2 PhD positions in a research project on early modern astronomical culture in the Habsburg Netherlands
The Sarton Centre for History of Science and Humanities (Ghent University) and research group Histories of Art, Architecture and Visual Culture (VISU) (Vrije Universiteit Brussel) invite applications for two fully funded PhD positions within a four year research project on early modern astronomical...
Call for papers: VROEGMODERNE ECOLOGIEËN
Op 4 september 2026 organiseren de Werkgroep de Zeventiende Eeuw, de Werkgroep de Achttiende Eeuw en de VNVNG voor het eerst samen een jaarcongres, met als thema Vroegmoderne ecologieën.
Medieval and Early Modern Studies Spring School 2026
Materiality, Material Culture and Materialist Approaches – Ghent, 1-5 June 2026 This Spring School is organised by Ghent University (Doctoral Schools), the University of Groningen, the Huizinga Institute and the Dutch Research School for Medieval Studies in cooperation with different research grou...
Events
Practical info04/09/2026 - 09:00 - 04/09/2026 - 18:45Congres: Vroegmoderne Ecologieën
Op 4 september 2026 organiseert VISU-lid Marlise Rijks samen met de Werkgroep de Zeventiende Eeuw, de Werkgroep de Achttiende Eeuw en de VNVNG voor het eerst samen een jaarcongres, met als thema Vroegmoderne ecologieën.
Practical info03/07/2026 - 10:15 - 03/07/2026 - 17:00Conference: Curating Design: Between Word and World
On 3 July 2026, VISU-member Lisa Marie Sneijder is co-organising the conference 'Curating Design: Between Word and World' at the Design Museum in London.
Practical info04/06/2026 - 12:15 - 06/06/2026 - 18:00Conference: Architecture in Rising: Building Sites of Europe, c. 1400-1700
On June 6th, 2026, VISU-director Pieter Martens will present a lecture called "A Building Site in Reverse: the destruction of Thérouanne in 1553".
