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An early version of this call was sent via this ListServ that contained a typographical error in one of the email addresses. If you have sent a proposal for this session and have NOT had a reply acknowledging receipt of your proposal, please resubmit. Our apologies for the error and for cross-listings! RSA 2010 ANNUAL CONFERENCE - VENICE Call for papers: "Rivalry and Competition at Court" The court was one of the fundamental institutions of the Renaissance state: a socio-political microcosm formed around a ruler and his or her consort. While the court is a manifestation of autocratic power, it was also an environment that nurtured a wide array of cultural enterprises, including works of art, theater, music, and literature that are today considered paradigms of Renaissance achievement. Competition was one of the strongest motivating factors behind courtly cultural patronage, where rivalry between different courts or within the same court stimulated lavish spending and facilitated the rise in social status of artists and literary figures. We hope to organize at least two sessions on this phenomenon: one dedicated to episodes documenting rivalry between two or more courts, and another dedicated to rivalry within the same court. Potential topics might include episodes of competition between artists or courtiers, between consorts, or between wives and mistresses. Molly Bourne, Syracuse University in Florence ([log in to unmask]) Bruce Edelstein, New York University in Florence ([log in to unmask]) Please email proposals, accompanied by an abstract of no longer than 150 words, to both panel organizers by no later than 30 April 2009