ARTH 384 - From Treasuries to Cabinets of Curiosity: A History of Collecting Art and Artifacts

FC ARHU WADV

4 credits
From the Treasury of Saint-Denis in medieval Paris to Athanasius Kirchner’s museum of curiosities in early modern Rome, collectors have long been fascinated by the finest objects formed by nature and human hands. This seminar will focus on the intersection of art and science and the principles of early modern collecting. Each week students will be introduced to a famous Cabinet of Curiosity and consider how collectors classified objects as wonders of art or science. The class will include frequent visits to the Allen Memorial Art Museum to draw comparisons between early modern and contemporary practices of collecting and display.

Prerequisites: one 200-level course in ARTH.