The Renaissance marked a pivotal moment in the history of human-animal relations: as humanism emphasized the dignity, potential, and centrality of the human being, it also prompted a re-evaluation of the animal world. Animals, often viewed as mere resources or symbols, began to be considered as sentient beings, capable of emotion, reason, and moral significance. This shift is evident in the literary and artistic works of the time, where animals are depicted not just as allegorical figures but as entities with intrinsic value and agency.

This seminar aims to explore the role of animals in the context of Renaissance humanism, particularly how their representation interacts with the notion of authorship. How did Renaissance authors conceptualize animals in their works? In what ways did the depiction of animals challenge or reinforce humanist ideals? How did the recognition of animal sentience influence the ethical considerations of the time?

We invite scholars to submit papers that explore (but are not limited to) the following topics: 

• Animal Sentience and Humanism: Examination of how Renaissance thinkers perceived animal consciousness and emotions and how these perceptions influenced humanist thought.


• Authorship and Representation: Analysis of the ways in which Renaissance authors represented animals in literature and art, considering the ethical implications of these depictions.


• Evolution of Bestiaries: From the medieval period into the Renaissance, how did the content, purpose and artistic evolution of bestiaries reflected changing attitudes towards animals? In what ways did bestiaries contribute to the broader discourse on animal and animal sentience?


• Philosophical and Theological Perspectives: Discussions on the influence of classical and medieval thought on Renaissance views of animals, including the impact of Aristotle, Plutarch, Augustine, and Aquinas on the philosophers of the 15th and 16th century.


• Human-Animal Relations: Exploration of the practical and symbolic roles animals played in Renaissance society, from pets and working animals to exotic creatures and hunting companions. 


• Literary and Artistic Case Studies: In-depth studies of specific works of literature, painting, or sculpture that prominently feature animals, such as Aesop’s fables, Montaigne’s essays, Petrarch’s considerations on the animal, or Albrecht Dürer’s engravings.


• Ethics and Morality: Consideration of how the Renaissance debate on the moral status of animals reflects broader ethical concerns of the period, including the treatment of otherness and the limits of human dominion.

We encourage cross-cultural considerations, i.e. how non-European perspectives on animals brought into Europe through exploration and trade influenced Renaissance humanism.