Cummins, Thomas B. F., ed. Global Gold: Aesthetics, Material Desires, Economies in the Late Medieval and Early Modern World

Global Gold, is the seventh volume in the prestigious I Tatti Research Series.This richly illustrated collection of essays makes a significant contribution to the "material turn" in cultural history and speaks to scholars and students across various disciplines.The volume focuses on the multifaceted influence of gold during the late medieval and early modern periods, exploring its symbolic power, material applications, and role in shaping global economies and facilitating cross-cultural exchange among Europe, the Americas, and East Asia.The project's broad scope, combined with its contributors' diverse backgrounds, makes this an especially compelling read.The book is organized into three interconnected sections, each delving into a distinct facet of gold's influence.The opening section, "The Making of Gold and Aesthetics, " investigates the material's artistic applications across various cultural and geographical contexts.For example, Anne Dunlop's analysis of gold's use in early Italian paintings, including Gentile da Fabriano's Strozzi altarpiece, reveals how the precious metal was employed to infuse a sense of splendour and divine light into religious artworks.Cecilia Frosinini's examination of artisanal traditions further demonstrates gold's versatility, tracing its incorporation into the work of artists such as Giotto and Piero della Francesca.Meanwhile, Yukio Lippit's study of Japan's iconic Golden Pavilion, Kinkakuji, illustrates how gold was utilized to create a sense of opulence and spiritual transcendence in East Asian architectural traditions.The second part, "The Lure of Gold: Holy and Unholy Desires, " examines gold's multifaceted presence across diverse domains.Chiara Crisciani's chapter on potable gold elixirs unveils how alchemical and medical beliefs intersected with economic and spiritual aspirations, highlighting beliefs about gold's perceived power to transform both the body and the soul.Thomas B. F. Cummins's examination of the mythical El Dorado further illustrates gold's capacity to inspire both wonder and exploitation, as the legend of the gilded city fuelled colonial ambitions and shaped cultural perceptions of the New World.