Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
Using examples of some of our greatest cultural institutions to shape the narrative, The Museum outlines the history of these singular buildings, tracking the journey from beginnings in Europe and the Enlightenment's classically inspired temples of curiosities via the public museums of the late-19th century and on to today's global era, which features an international assortment of carefully curated icons designed by the world's leading architects.
Museums and galleries are a global phenomenon; landmark destinations where visitors, often in their millions, can immerse themselves in culture. The Museum profiles the best examples on the planet, revealing the creative minds responsible for these hallowed spaces - including architects, directors and curators - and the pieces that make up collections. Institutions such as the Louvre, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the British Museum, the Tate Modern, the Hermitage and the Guggenheim Bilbao all feature alongside names including Richard Rogers, Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, Frank Gehry, Herzog and De Meuron, Nicholas Serota, Alfred Barr and Charles Eastlake. By examining how these venues became intrinsic to our shared cultural experience and analysing the evolution of the roles they play in society, this book is for anyone who has stood in awe at the spectacle of a museum.
Synopsis
Visited by millions around the world every year, discover the untold story of The Museum, one of mankind's most essential creations.
Using examples of the greatest cultural institutions to shape the narrative, this book outlines the history of the museum movement, tracking the evolution from princely collections in Europe and the Enlightenment's classically inspired temples of curiosities, via the public museums of the late-19th century, on to today's global era of iconic buildings designed by the world's leading architects.
Institutions such as the Louvre, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the British Museum, the Tate Modern, the Hermitage and the Guggenheim Bilbao all feature alongside architects, curators and patrons including Richard Rogers, Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, Frank Gehry, Herzog and De Meuron, Andrew Carnegie, Alfred Barr and Nicholas Serota. By examining how these venues became intrinsic to our shared cultural experience, analysing the changing roles they play in society and questioning what the future holds in a digital age, this book is for anyone who has stood in awe at the spectacle of a museum.
Synopsis
Visited by millions around the world every year, discover the untold story of the history of the institution of the museum, one of mankind's most essential creations. Using examples of the greatest cultural institutions to shape the narrative, this book outlines the history of the museum movement, tracking the evolution from princely collections in Europe and the Enlightenment's classically inspired temples of curiosities, via the public museums of the late nineteenth century, on to today's global era oficonic buildings designed by the world's leading architects.
Over the course of five chapters filled with stunning imagery that highlights the beauty of these venerated buildings, the origins of key institutions are revealed, including:
- Louvre
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- British Museum
- Tate Modern
- Hermitage
- Guggenheim
- Smithsonian Institute
- Acropolis Museum
Also outlined are the motivations of the architects, curators and patrons who have shaped how we experience the modern museum, a cast that includes names such as King George II, Napoleon, Henry Clay Frick, Peggy Guggenheim, Andrew Carnegie, Alfred Barr, Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, Frank Gehry, Richard Rogers, Nicholas Serota and Zaha Hadid.
By examining how these venues became intrinsic to our shared cultural experience, analysing the changing roles they play in society and questioning what the future holds in a digital age, this book is for anyone who has stood in awe at the spectacle of a museum.