Lia Markey on “The Nova Reperta and Renaissance Representations of Invention and Globalization”

February Dinner

Dr. Lia Markey, Director of the Newberry’s Center for Renaissance Studies, will discuss Johannes Stradanus’s Nova Reperta (c. 1588), a renowned print series of 20 engravings, representing 19 post-classical novelties as varied as eyeglasses, the cure for syphilis, and the New World.  Through an analysis of the prints, their Latin captions, and their preparatory drawings, Dr. Markey will show how the series depicts invention as both global and specifically Florentine and will investigate the relationship between innovation and cross-cultural exchange in the late sixteenth century.  This presentation will provide background to the “Renaissance Invention: Stradanus’s Nova Reperta” exhibit co-curated by Caxtonian Suzanne Karr Schmidt which opens April 18 and will be a Caxton On the Move event in early May.

The evening will follow this order: Social gathering 5-6pm; program at 6 pm; dinner immediately to follow.  Program is free and open to the public.  Beverages available for $8-$15.  Three-course dinner: $66.  Reservations are required for either program or dinner only and the dinner/program.  They must be received by no later than NOON, Monday, February 17.  Dinner reservations cancelled after that time or no-shows will be billed. 

Reserve and pay at caxtonclub.org or by calling 312-255-3710 or e-mail caxtonclub@newberry.org.  We encourage members to reserve using our website.