PhD. Topics

Probe into the representation of nobility using the example of the Erdődy family in the 18th century (or another noble family after agreement with the supervisor)

Slovak History

2025

Diana Duchoňová, PhD.

Contact:

Faculty of Arts, Comenius University Bratislava

The aim of the dissertation is the analysis of the social, economic, cultural and symbolic capital of the Erdődy family through its representation in the 18th century. We understand representation as a phenomenon of communication through which we try to reconstruct actions in a historical sense. In the dissertation, social and political representation will be followed through a probe on selected family members in their personal correspondence, wills, and preserved accounts. Research needs to be focused on the family's marriage policy, patronage, appearance of residences, festivities, art collections and portrait galleries of the family. The expensive life of the Hungarian aristocracy often caused them to get into debt, so it will be important to monitor the debts, receivables and interest of family members. A large part of the archival materials is stored with the Slovak National Archives in the Central Archive of the Erdődy family, in the fund of the Secretariat of Ján Nepomuk and Jozef Erdődy in Bratislava, which contains economic and financial matters of the family and the noble court of the Erdődy family. Further specification of the topic is expected during the first year of study, depending on the amount and nature of the archival material.
Requirements: knowledge of Hungarian, Latin, German.