Men's Weird Collections Inspired the Modern Museum: Cabinets of Curiosities
a year ago
- #history
- #curiosities
- #museums
- The article discusses the origins of modern museums from 16th and 17th-century cabinets of curiosities.
- Thomas Shadwell, an English author, was mocked by John Dryden in satirical poems for his lack of talent.
- Shadwell's play 'The Virtuoso' features Nicholas Gimcrack, a character mocking obsessive collectors of oddities.
- Cabinets of curiosities were private collections of artifacts, natural specimens, and oddities, often displayed in entire rooms.
- These collections evolved into public museums, such as the Basel Kunstmuseum and the Ashmolean Museum.
- Some collectors charged fees to view their collections, leading to early forms of public exhibitions.
- The article highlights the transition from private hoarding to scholarly institutions open to the public.