Dr. Sònia Boadas has done the research under the supervision of Prof. Marco Presotto within the LILEC Dipartamento of Università di Bologna from may 2018 to October 2020. During the fellowship, Dr. Boadas has completed the objectives outlined in the proposal: a) reconsider the traditional idea of the production of Comedia Nueva; b) theorize the intervention of autores de comedias in the plays; c) propose a new model for the configuration of Spanish Golden Age Theater.
Next to this work, Dr. Boadas has also done additional research on the process of creation of Lope de Vega’s dramatic texts, discovering a draft autograph play, "Las bizarrías de Belisa". The draft autograph shows that the process of creating a text was complex and that required working documents, which preceded the final clean copy of the text. It also shows the doubts and corrections of the playwright, his way of working and how he was approaching to the definitive text.
During the fellowship, Dr. Boadas analysed manuscripts in many libraries and has notably expanded her knowledge regarding digital techniques and methodologies for the study of manuscripts. Beyond using hyperspectral photography, she has investigated and tested other instruments that exist in the market and that may be useful for the analysis of ancient texts. These are multispectral photography and spectrometry (X-ray fluorescence and XRaman). Tests have been carried out in different libraries and with different instruments. These tests have revealed the usefulness of some of these techniques, the information they can provide and the need for collaboration between restorers, photographers, chemists and philologists.
On the other hand, and together with Dr. Presotto, Dr. Boadas is developing an open access database dedicated to autograph manuscripts of the Golden Age (AUTESO). The database will offer a comprehensive analysis of the manuscript, focusing especially on the creation process and the hands involved.
In terms of publications, Dr. Boadas has published 4 peer-reviewed articles, one book chapter and is co-author of one critical edition. In 2021, she will coordinate a peer-reviewed journal special issue and she will publish a monograph.
Concerning dissemination, in December 2019, Dr. Boadas has organized an International Seminar and has co-organized another one. Dr. Boadas has also given 2 invited research talks and presented 8 research talks at international conferences.
Apart from the research, Dr. Boadas has been actively engaged in outreach activities, such as Las Jornadas sobre Teatro Clásico or the Researcher’s Night (MSCA, Bologna). She has also been the MSCA Fellow of the Week and her research has been published in the Journal El País Retina.
