Private Collections example essay topic

From as early as the 3rd century bc, there have been examples of museum concepts. Ptolemy So ter, known as "The Preserver", founded the great Muse on at Alexandria. After six centuries, it was destroyed, ending centuries of intellectual research and collected statues. In ancient Greece, temples of objects, including the Parthenon and the Acropolis housed cult statues in cells, rooms dedicated to this purpose. A keeper, similarly to a curator, would oversee the temple activities. In addition, an early example of conservation is documented by the placement of oil vats by ivory statues to prevent drying out and cracking.

At the Treasury of the Athenians at Delphi, votive objects were stored for the purpose of conservation. Documenting exhibition is the site at Propileo. On the right side, there is a library, and on the left, a, which are panel paintings open to the public. This shows early interest in exhibition and galleries.

During the Hellenistic period (Greek), Alexander the Great gathered a library of 600,000 volumes in scrolls, as well as statues of poets and philosophers. The concept was similar to a history museum. Under the leadership of Trajan, the 2nd century Romans displayed statues in temples, forums, theaters, and baths. These people were much more public with their collections than the Greeks were, however, evidence of Greek influence is shown for example in the stature of Caesar Augustus (think Prima porta). Also, statues were in homes for private viewing. Under Hadrian, the open air concept was born, at least for private consumption.

He borrowed building ideas for his villa. In the Middle Ages, Catholic cathedrals housed treasuries full of original objects from pilgrimages and crusades, donated by people to the church for salvation purposes, on the notion "absorb and purchase: donate". There was an emphasis on preservation. In the late 14th and early 15th centuries, private collections were emerging. Jean, the Duke of Berry, (a territory of France), loved books and had a library and antique coins, and a zoo, which included bezoar's. Those were an antidote found in the stomachs of wild goats.

The Renaissance of the 15th and 16th centuries brought about an emergence of private collections in Florence. Paolo Gio vio, from Como, a humanist, was a pioneer of the private historical museum. In it, contained objects and books, all preserved and collected. Andrea Odo ni commissioned Lorenzo Lotto to paint him as a collector. The Belvedaire Gardens in Rome was the private hideaway of the Pope and his visitors.

In it, there were sculptures and luscious gardens. During the 16th century, two new concepts were born. First, the galleria (italian), which was a grand hall lit from the side, signifying an exhibition area for pictures and sculpture. The problem with this setup, however, is that natural light is bad for conservation. The second concept was the (italian), which was familiarly known as a "cabinet of curiosities". This cabinet was a square room filled with stuffed animals, botanical rarities, small works of art, and artifacts and curiosities.

In German, such a room is known as " ", meaning wonder room. Ferrante Imperator and the Princes of Gatto rf each had a, containing dead animals and art objects. In Copenhagen, people began to label the objects in their. In the university cities of Pisa, Bologna, Paton, and Hidelbere, botanical gardens for private consumption began to appear.

The 17th century was known as the "Era of Private Collections", during which time, people began to aquire objects and artifacts for collection's sake. Charles I, King of England, was a great collector, but a terrible leader. He was beheaded and disemboweled. Cardinal Mazarin of France feared rival collector Queen Christina of Sweden, showing the popularity of collecting.

Louis XIV, King of France, purchased Mazarin's collection after his death. Thomas Howard of England, Earl of Rendell, had a sculpture gallery. Ar direr had a history gallery with portraits of notable people. A Dutch man named Leven Vincent's had a "Theater of Nature" housing insects and plants framed and under glass for private viewing. In the northern Netherlands, art began to be sold on the street in business districts for the banking class. There was less commissioned work and more market work.

England became dominant in collecting during the 18th century. "The Grand Tour" was travel to experience culture. This was very popular for those who could afford it. Sir Charles Townley had a collection that eventually became part of the British Museum. There was the rise of the great auction houses in England.

Samuel Baker founded Sotheby's in 1744, and Christie's was founded by James Christie in 1766. Oxford University had the first public natural history, which was formerly the collection Elias Ashmore. During the 18th century, collecting was still popular in other countries as well. Catherine the Great from Russia had a collection that started The Hermitage, Charles VI of Vienna had a painting collection, and Leopold I of Vienna had imperial library and chamber of rarities. Switzerland had public university museum, founded in 1671.

Louis XIV of France had gardens that eventually opened to the public. The Louvre, in France, was a palace converted into a museum, and was considered to be the first great national art museum. It became so as a result of the French Revolution. It was Count Anguiller who renovated the Louvre galleries.