Acknowledgments
This book has been long in the making and I am pleased I can finally thank many people for their support along the way. My supervisor Hans Cools was instrumental for my own fascination with (early modern) Italy. Discovering Rome as a third years bachelor’s student, following the itineraries of early modern travel guides, was in many ways an eye-opener. I am grateful to Hans for his trust and his guidance. In St Andrews, I was fortunate to be welcomed by Andrew Pettegree from the very start, and it has been a real privilege to work with him. His generous advice has been invaluable for my understanding of the early modern book world and my development as a historian. Helmer Helmers has commented on different drafts of the book and I want to thank him especially for his encouragements and unfailing optimism.
Throughout the years, I have been fortunate to have many supportive colleagues and friends in several insitutions. I am grateful to all my collegeaus on the fifth floor of Erasmus House in Leuven. I have fond memories of the numerous coffee breaks, birthday celebrations, and lunches. In St Andrews, I enjoyed the many conversations with John Condren, Jessica Dalton, Marc Jaffré, Nikolas Funke, Graeme Kemp, Jan Hillgärtner, Drew Thomas, and Arthur der Weduwen. Thanks also goes to all the other members of USTC and Reformation Institute for making it such a stimulating place to work. A special thanks to Shanti Graheli and Róisín Watson for their unwavering friendship since we first met in St Andrews.
I am grateful to the members of my committee Joad Raymond, Bart van den Bossche, Guy Rowlands, and Violet Soen for their thoughtful questions and suggestions. Along the way, I have benefitted from conversations with other scholars and would like to thank them for their help and inspiration: Paul Arblaster, Maurizio Arfaioli, Sara Barker, Sebastiaan Derks, Pierre Delsaerdt, Gert Gielis, Emma Grootveld, Geert Janssen, Guido Marnef, Jan Machielsen, Emily Michelson, Judith Pollmann, Christophe Schellekens, Lieke van Deinsen, Maartje van Gelder, Klaas van Gelder, Henk van Nierop, Djoeke van Netten, Heleen Wyffels.
My doctoral research, from which this book evolved, was made possible by the funding of Flemisch Research Council. My thanks to the Dutch Art Historical Institute in Florence and the Academia Belgica in Rome for accommodating me at several points during my many research trips. Thanks to all the dedicated staff of all the different institutions who have helped me navigate their precious collections.
A huge thank you to Arnout, Ilse, Fauke, Dien, Karel, Achilles and Juno for welcoming me into the family and for always making me feel at home. I am greatly indebted to my parents who have encouraged me to pursue my love for history, for their lasting support, and enthusiasm. Lastly, I would like to thank Klaas for his trust, his patience, and for continuing to be my rots in de branding (tower of strength). I dedicate this book to him.