Marianne P. Ritsema Van Eck

About the Author

Marianne P. Ritsema Van Eck is a distinguished scholar of medieval religious history and Franciscan studies, with a particular focus on the interplay between theology, travel narratives, and territorial conceptions in early modern Europe. Her research illuminates the Observant Franciscan order's engagement with the Holy Land during a transformative period from the late fifteenth to the mid-seventeenth century, exploring how sacred geography shaped devotional practices and missionary ambitions. Drawing on a rich array of primary sources, including pilgrimage accounts and theological treatises, Van Eck's work bridges disciplinary boundaries to reveal the enduring impact of Franciscan spirituality on European perceptions of the East. As an affiliate of the University of Amsterdam, she continues to contribute insightful analyses to the field, emphasizing the role of space and mobility in religious identity formation.