Matthías Ólafsson
@matthiasaolafsson.bsky.social
PhD student, Department of History, Trinity College Dublin—State building with early modern investigative commissions; governing the Danish Oldenburg Empire across the Atlantic World and Asia
After seven weeks at my residency here in Jónshús, Copenhagen and numerous hours spent at the Danish National Archives and Saxo Institute, I head back to Dublin. This stay has been a privilege, enriching my research and allowing me to meet new people and spend time with dear friends and family here.
October 9, 2025 at 6:10 PM
After seven weeks at my residency here in Jónshús, Copenhagen and numerous hours spent at the Danish National Archives and Saxo Institute, I head back to Dublin. This stay has been a privilege, enriching my research and allowing me to meet new people and spend time with dear friends and family here.
Surgeon Christian Løvendahl’s 1768 letter of certification from Flensburg. A beautiful piece of work, produced on official, stamped paper (RA 232 F77).
October 7, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Surgeon Christian Løvendahl’s 1768 letter of certification from Flensburg. A beautiful piece of work, produced on official, stamped paper (RA 232 F77).
When I order documents from various #c18th investigative commissions at the archives, I most often receive a modest assortment of protocols, petitions, and numerous letters. But occasionally, I get something like this. It’s only about 2300 pages (RA 236 F4-17).
October 6, 2025 at 9:37 AM
When I order documents from various #c18th investigative commissions at the archives, I most often receive a modest assortment of protocols, petitions, and numerous letters. But occasionally, I get something like this. It’s only about 2300 pages (RA 236 F4-17).
Within the same documents I also found this map of the Holy Roman Empire. Details!
October 2, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Within the same documents I also found this map of the Holy Roman Empire. Details!
A pleasant surprise to discover this stunning #c18th map of the Duchy of Holstein (then part of the Danish Oldenburg Empire) among the documents of an 1781 investigative commission which was to determine whether the surgeon Christian Løvendahl was indeed entitled to use his own name. (RA 232 F77).
October 2, 2025 at 10:16 AM
A pleasant surprise to discover this stunning #c18th map of the Duchy of Holstein (then part of the Danish Oldenburg Empire) among the documents of an 1781 investigative commission which was to determine whether the surgeon Christian Løvendahl was indeed entitled to use his own name. (RA 232 F77).
Juat arrived at my academic residency in Jónshús, Copenhagen. I’m really looking forward to spending the next seven weeks here doing research and digging in the Danish National Archives and the Royal Library. If you’re around, hit me up, and we can grab coffee!
August 21, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Juat arrived at my academic residency in Jónshús, Copenhagen. I’m really looking forward to spending the next seven weeks here doing research and digging in the Danish National Archives and the Royal Library. If you’re around, hit me up, and we can grab coffee!
Great to be back home in Iceland to take part in the 31st Congress of Nordic Historians where I met some brilliant people working on fascinating projects.
I had the honour of presenting a paper at a session organised by a few of us on reimagining the #c18th Danish Oldenburg Empire.
Takk! #nhm2025
I had the honour of presenting a paper at a session organised by a few of us on reimagining the #c18th Danish Oldenburg Empire.
Takk! #nhm2025
August 16, 2025 at 9:56 AM
5k run, an Espresso, and the Gazzetta. Buongiorno.
July 4, 2025 at 5:26 AM
5k run, an Espresso, and the Gazzetta. Buongiorno.
Calabria moodboard
June 23, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Calabria moodboard
What’s better than this?
June 9, 2025 at 12:11 PM
What’s better than this?
A gem in Pisa
May 27, 2025 at 4:21 PM
A gem in Pisa
And of course Tagliatelle with Bolognese ragù!
May 12, 2025 at 8:15 PM
And of course Tagliatelle with Bolognese ragù!
Tonight we dined at Vicolo Colombiana here in Bologna and had traditional roasted rabbit from Alberto Pelloni with side of bolognese friggione, pickled vegetables and potatoes. Magical!
May 12, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Tonight we dined at Vicolo Colombiana here in Bologna and had traditional roasted rabbit from Alberto Pelloni with side of bolognese friggione, pickled vegetables and potatoes. Magical!
The two towers of Bologna!
May 12, 2025 at 8:11 PM
The two towers of Bologna!
Happy May Day!
May 1, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Happy May Day!
Glad Valborg!
April 30, 2025 at 6:56 AM
Glad Valborg!
I really am trying to invoke the aura of Peter Weir's Master and Commander with the slides for this paper I'll give next week.
April 23, 2025 at 4:17 PM
I really am trying to invoke the aura of Peter Weir's Master and Commander with the slides for this paper I'll give next week.
We must never take our present arena of international relations for granted—but too many in power do. From Burbank and Cooper (2010).
April 21, 2025 at 11:45 AM
We must never take our present arena of international relations for granted—but too many in power do. From Burbank and Cooper (2010).
Happy Easter!
April 20, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Happy Easter!
Hiked 26 km from Pisa over the mountains to Lucca today, following the old aqueduct road. Incredible vibes—and a towering rooster.
April 11, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Hiked 26 km from Pisa over the mountains to Lucca today, following the old aqueduct road. Incredible vibes—and a towering rooster.
Buongiorno Toscana
April 10, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Buongiorno Toscana
A deadline and then some tennis today. Let’s get this bread!
April 7, 2025 at 7:27 AM
A deadline and then some tennis today. Let’s get this bread!
Huge fan of whatever this is
April 6, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Huge fan of whatever this is