The little-known story of Margaret of Parma, governor, art lover and Italian society figure

Daughter of Charles V, Governor of the Netherlands, a society figure in Italy and a passionate art lover and patron: Margaret of Parma (1522–1586) is a fascinating figure who for a long time was neglected by historians. This richly illustrated publication rehabilitates a woman who played a key role in the Habsburg Netherlands and the turbulent sixteenth century.

Who was Margaret of Parma, as a person...

The Battle Between Carnival and Lent is a masterpiece by Pieter Bruegel the Elder (c. 1525/30-1569). Dating from 1559, the world-famous painting is rich in remarkable stories and characters.

This book zooms in on the many everyday objects portrayed by Bruegel in the painting. These objects have been meticulously examined and interpreted through a contemporary gaze. Just as Bruegel's paintings served in the sixteenth century as conversation pieces among guests at dinner, so too this book prese...