Power and Desire: A History of Collecting and Museums

Examines the history and theory of collecting, from Renaissance studios and curiosity cabinets in Europe to international contemporary museums, focusing on the collection of art and other forms of cultural and scientific interest and marvel. Why works of art and natural objects were and are collected and displayed, what was and is worthy of display and study and how these objects were and are displayed, organized and accessed constitute the basic questions considered in this seminar. Controversies related to cultural patrimony, repatriation, race and contemporary calls to de-colonize museums inform investigations of collecting practices during the modern period and class discussions.