Cabinets of Curiosities
Cabinets of Curiosities by Patrick Mauriès, published by Thames & Hudson in 2019, is a compact exploration of the fascinating history of seventeenth-century collections that aimed to encompass all knowledge. This 256-page book delves into the unique spaces known as cabinets of curiosities, which were filled with extraordinary items such as unicorns’ horns, mermaids’ skeletons, and scientific instruments. The narrative traces the evolution of these collections from their origins in Renaissance noble families to the prominent figures who curated them, including archdukes, kings, and scholars.
Readers will discover the rich tapestry of history surrounding these cabinets, which served as both personal collections and public displays of wonder. Mauriès highlights the significance of these spaces, detailing how they reflected the aspirations of their collectors and the broader cultural context of Europe during that era. The book also examines the legacy of these collections, many of which are preserved in museums today, offering insights into the decorative arts and the history of civilization. Through this erudite survey, Cabinets of Curiosities invites readers to appreciate the intricate relationship between art, science, and the pursuit of knowledge.
Official synopsis Publisher
Unicorns’ horns, mermaids’ skeletons, stuffed and preserved animals and plants, precious metals, clocks, scientific instruments, celestial globes–all knowledge, the whole cosmos, arranged on shelves in a single room. Such were the cabinets of curiosities of the seventeenth century, the last period of history when man could aspire to know everything.
The collectors were archdukes and kings–the Emperor Rudolf II was the prince of all collectors–rich merchants and scholars, and their collections ranged from a single crowded room to whole palatial suites. Cabinets of Curiosities traces the amazing history of these unique spaces, receptacles, and fascinating contents within, from their first appearance in the inventories and engravings commissioned by Renaissance noble families, such as the Medicis or the Hapsburgs, via those of the Dane Ole Wurm and the German polymath Athanasius Kircher, to the seventeenth-century scientist Elias Ashmole and Dutch collector Levinus Vincent.
Author Patrick Maurie`s chronicles the amazing history of these rooms of wonders in this ingeniously erudite survey. Not many of the rooms survive, but there are pictorial records and their contents still exist and are among the treasures of museums all over the world.
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