Freer + Sackler Conference: Portugal, the Persian Gulf, and Safavid Persia
A few months ago, we wrote about Iranian art at the Freer + Sackler Galleries in Washington, D.C. Here’s a quick heads-up for all the history and geography buffs about a pretty specific conference the F+SG are co-sponsoring, in conjunction with the Iran Heritage Foundation, from September 7-9, 2007. From their newsletter:
In conjunction with the Iran Heritage Foundation, the Freer and Sackler Galleries have organized a conference to focus on five hundred years of exchanges between Portugal and Safavid Persia, particularly their activities in the Persian Gulf basin between 1500 and 1700. Portuguese interaction with the Ottoman Empire, Arab principalities, and India, as well as with rival European merchants active in the area, is also examined. Discussion topics include sources and historiography, mutual perceptions, trade, diplomacy and politics, missionary activities, and cross-cultural exchanges. Visit www.iranheritage.org/portugalconference/ to register or for more information, please email farhad@iranheritage.org.
(Image: via Freer + Sackler Galleries; Portrait of Afonso de Albuquerque; Goa, India, 16th century; Mixed technique on wood; Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga, Lisbon, Portugal.)