A Spectacular ´Map Theatre´: The 1593 edition of Christiaan Adrichem´s Theatrum Terrae Sanctae Sacred geography (geographia sacra) was a flourishing field of scholarship in the early modern period. The atlas of the Holy Land by Christiaan van Adrichem falls squarely within this category of sacred geography. Guest author • April 08, 2020
The Illustrated Description of the Living Hells Two copies of a rare and long-forgotten Chinese book are preserved in the Leiden Special Collections where they are awaiting researchers. Guest author • April 02, 2020
Leiden dissertation 1742: “slavery not against the Bible” The story of Jacobus Capitein, a former slave advocating slavery. Guest author • March 17, 2020
Women artists in the Leiden Special Collections Women artists are more present in the University Library's collections than ever before. Jef Schaeps • March 05, 2020
Toleration in the Dutch Republic? Johannes Wtenbogaert and the Remonstrant minority Johannes Wtenbogaert wrote several letters to his confidant Hugo de Groot about his difficulties as the informal leader of the Remonstrant congregation in the Netherlands in the 1620s and 30s. The letters offer a different perspective on toleration in the Dutch Republic. Guest author • February 18, 2020
A busy route: a story of airmail between the Dutch East Indies and the Netherlands. The Hoekstra-collection contains more than 900 items of ephemera and memorabilia, but among the most striking items is a set of mysteriously empty envelopes. Guest author • February 06, 2020
Egyptian Screen Goddesses and Western Fashion: Freedom or Oppression? Popular Egyptian cinema abounds in screen goddesses in high heels and short skirts. Is this the typically Western idea of being free to wear whatever you like? Or of women dressing like tarts in order to attract men? Arnoud Vrolijk • January 23, 2020
Cubicula locanda The signs to rent a room have disappeared from the Leiden streets a few decades ago, but plenty of traces can still be found throughout the Academic Historical Museum: Cubicula locanda! Guest author • December 11, 2019
South Indian Treasures Discovered at Leiden University Libraries Four of the oldest dated manuscripts from South India have been discovered at Leiden University Libraries. Guest author • November 19, 2019