In 1976, a time when the nineteenth century seemed completely forgotten, the study group The Nineteenth Century was started. The aim of this study group was, and still is, to research this interesting era. The study group yearly organises a conference, with varying themes like 'theatre and amusement', 'morality and sexuality', 'professions', 'the Rijksmuseum' and 'reading customs'. Also, the study group publishes a quarterly journal.

Much has changed since the foundation of the study group. The nineteenth century has become a popular subject at universities. As a result of that, about one hundred thesis on this subject have been published. Outside the universities, however, the esteem for this age is still rather low. Although foreigners pay enormous amounts of money for Dutch nineteenth century paintings, Dutch people still picture the nineteenth century as an age with lack of taste, pompous architecture, sticky-sweet paintings, conventional beliefs and moralistic literature.

The journal

Since 1977 the study group The Nineteenth Century publishes the journal De Negentiende Eeuw (The Nineteenth Century), in which articles are published about this age, concentrating on the Netherlands and Belgium. Once a year a special issue is published, for example about women in the nineteenth century, theatre, entertainment or sexuality. The journal also includes book reviews and a readers' letters section. Back issues are partially available online.

For subscriptions please contact Uitgeverij Verloren. Subscriptions, including membership of the study group, cost €30 a year.