The CNA Fellowship program supports and nurtures future generations of scholars and specialists in Netherlandish Art. Through mentorship and access to the MFA’s rich collections, resources, and research facilities, fellows jointly further their professional development and are part of an active learning community. The CNA seeks to build a global cohort of fellows and foster meaningful connections to enhance the field of Netherlandish Art as a whole.

CNA fellowships provide opportunities for talented individuals at different stages of their careers—from recent MA graduates to emerging scholars at the postdoctoral level—to conduct independent research connected to the MFA’s collection of Netherlandish art. This may include preparation for submission of a PhD proposal, dissertation research and writing, and preparing a publication, among other research activities. To encourage creative thinking and new scholarship, the program is open to individuals in all professional and academic fields. The CNA acknowledges the continued need to make the field of Netherlandish Art more inclusive and equitable, and seeks to foster professionals of all identities and nationalities representing a range of backgrounds, prior experiences, and research priorities. Fellows are drawn from a highly competitive international application pool and receive a workspace in the CNA Library. Compensation includes a salary and travel allowance, as well as a generous benefits package.

Fellows are fully incorporated into the work of the MFA and may consult on projects related to their research. They also share their research through the CNA’s and MFA’s public programs and online platforms to benefit a range of audiences.

2024–25 CNA Research Fellows

Laura Eliza Enríquez, Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Laura is a PhD candidate at Concordia University, Montreal, where she researches global perspectives of the sense of taste in early modern Dutch art. At the CNA, she continues her research on the cultural and intellectual history of taste and food, focusing on paintings, works on paper, and decorative artifacts in the MFA’s collection.

Jessica Sternbach, Flanders State of the Art Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Jessica is completing her PhD at Temple University, Philadelphia, where her research focuses on the intersensorial nature of artistic portrayals of music in the early modern Dutch Republic, particularly those involving women. At the CNA, Jessica continues her dissertation work while also making connections that highlight Flemish artworks and musical instruments in the MFA’s collection.

Hans Brenninkmeyer Visiting Senior Fellowship

Introduced in 2024, the Hans Brenninkmeyer Visiting Senior fellowship invites established scholars to participate in a short-term residence at the Center for Netherlandish Art, where they can conduct independent research and contribute to the vibrant intellectual life of the Center through activities such as lectures, workshops, and panel discussions. The fellowship creates an opportunity for participants to nurture outstanding research, work with MFA collections, and connect with MFA staff and members of the CNA community.

In spring 2024, Professor Erma Hermens, director of the Hamilton Kerr Institute at the University of Cambridge’s Fitzwilliam Museum, was the inaugural Brenninkmeyer fellow.