How did museums collect art and artifacts historically? Â
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When it comes down to a bibliography, writing about something you find enjoyment in, high interest and love is highly important. For me that is art. Arts have been a part of me my whole life. I have always found myself within the work of creating and appreciating art. It is who I am today. I Am an artist. I started studying art when I was 10 years old. I took advanced art classes and when it came time to talk about ancient artifacts in history class I was all ears. Also, playing the piano since I was 5 years old, taking dancing classes, being the soloist of my school and part of the city’s choir played a huge part. Being so in touch with all different forms of art is so beautiful. So for me a museum is an Arts home. While living in New York City there’s huge access to many amazing museums. I Am a regular at the Met Museum and many other small museums in New York. But I have to say that The Met is what raised this interest in me wanting to learn more about this topic. It was September 2018, my aunt was visiting me from France and she decided to take me to the Met. Upon arriving at The Met I remember being so excited, one because I got to skip school and two because I was going to look at art, my passion. I remember that day like it was yesterday, and experience all the emotions I went through all over again. Now six years later I still get that feeling because even though the world outside has changed everything inside is still the same.We all know how popular The Met is and how many people from all over the world visit, along with many other museums, such as MoMa, American Museum of Natural History and many others in all five boroughs.Â
The author of âMuseum Concept from past to present of museums as centers of art educationâ states âMuseum, as a concept, comes from the 9 muses each possessing a different ability and source of inspiration (Calliope- the muse of epic poetry; Clio-the muse of history etc). Open and enclosed spaces (gardens and inside temples) dedicated to these 9 muses were called museums in Ancient Greece. However, The Museum of Alexandria, established in 4th century B.C, was the first museum that presented collection, exhibition, preservation and classification missions for museums in historical development.â This quote talks about the past and how museums came to be what they are today. It is all about the origins of museums and how they were influenced by the 9 muses in Ancient Greece. The muses were believed to possess different abilities and sources of inspiration, like epic poetry and history. In Ancient Greece, spaces dedicated to these muses, both open gardens and enclosed temples, were called museums. However, the Museum of Alexandria, which was established in the 4th century B.C., was the first museum to have a more comprehensive mission. It focused on collecting, exhibiting, preserving, and classifying various artifacts and knowledge. This marked a significant milestone in the historical development of museums, shaping the way they operate today. So, essentially, the quote highlights the connection between the muses, Ancient Greek culture, and the early foundations of museums. When exploring the deep roots of these cultural institutions I came to a conclusion that back then, museums often relied on patronage, where wealthy individuals or rulers would fund expeditions to acquire treasures and bring them back to the museum. They would also accept donations from individuals or acquire items through trade and conquest. Over time, museums developed specialized curators and experts who would carefully select and catalog the art and artifacts. So, the quote indirectly highlights the origins of museums as spaces for collecting and preserving art and artifacts, paving the way for the diverse and rich collections we see in museums today.
The quote âOur Collecting History. The Metropolitan Museum of Art has always been and will always be a premier collecting institution. Founded in 1870, when New York was still a relatively young city and the United States was entering a period of rapid change, The Met began with neither art nor a building, just the aspiration to become a world-class institution reflecting the broader ambitions of the country. But unlike the great museums of Europe, most of which began as royal collections, our Museum, since its inception, was built by and for the public.â The quote is all about The Metropolitan Museum of Art and its unique collecting history. It highlights how The Met has always been and will always be a top-notch collecting institution. Back in 1870, when New York was still growing, The Met came to life with a big dream but without any art or building. It was driven by the aspiration to become a world-class institution that would reflect the broader ambitions of the country. What sets The Met apart from many European museums is that it wasn’t built from any royal collections. The Met was created by and for the public right from the get-go. I wonder if i was part of that public what would i have contributed to the museum. It’s pretty cool to think about how it started from scratch and grew into the amazing museum we know today. One thing to analyze would be the author’s word choice. It holds great significance as it emphasizes the unique nature of The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collecting history. By using phrases like “premier collecting institution,” “aspiration to become a world-class institution,” and “broader ambitions of the country,” the author conveys the museum’s lofty goals and its commitment to excellence. Nowadays it is the most important museum in New York, in America and the whole world. The mention of New York as a “relatively young city” and the United States entering a period of “rapid change” highlights the museum’s connection to the dynamic growth and cultural development of the nation. The museum might be connected to the nation but within it has art and artifacts from all over the world. The contrast between The Met and the great museums of Europe, which often began as royal collections, underscores the museum’s public-focused approach and its dedication to accessibility and inclusivity. Overall, the author’s word choice paints a vivid picture of The Met’s origins, values, and commitment to serving the public. In conclusion, I started with taking a deep look into my past and my relation to this topic as well as what raised this interest in wanting to learn more about my question. I myself am an artist so learning about art is so important to me and also writing about something so that others can learn from as well is important to me. During my research in regards to my question I gained information on the past history of museums and how they started, as well as their relation to Ancient Greece. We are all aware of the huge impact Ancient Greece has on our today’s society and how it helps us better understand the history of anything in today’s world. When learning about the museum and how its connection is related to a muse, which is something that all of us artists have. Our muse might not be a human being per say , but we all have something that inspires us and that is what a muse is. That surprised me for the better because I never noticed how the word muse is in the word museum and how it is the start of what museums are today. Something I learned during my research on The Met museum was the fact how museums back then were all funded by royal collections rather than old artifacts from all over the world and non royal people’s art. That is what The Met is the opposite of. I believe this is highly important because it highlights how different a museum is today and how more in touch with the community it is. I think every other artist should know and read about this since it will shape their perspective on the arts home differently and they will learn all about art and artifacts that are found and stored. It can provide them with a deeper understanding of the history, development, and significance of museums in the art world. By exploring the origins of museums and the impact they have had on art, artists can gain valuable insights and inspiration for their own work. It can also help them appreciate the role museums play in preserving and showcasing art to the public. It’s a chance to dive deep into the stories behind famous artworks, explore different artistic movements, and understand how museums have shaped our appreciation of art. Plus, you might discover lesser-known artists or hidden gems that can spark your creativity.
