I love period rooms and I regret that they've gone out of fashion. With the elite classes of Europe being blamed for all the world's ills at this cultural moment, I fear for the future of smaller collections of European decorative arts in North America. De-commissioning of inventory is an opportunity for collectors, but a loss for the museum-going public, or at least that part of it that wants to see pre-1800 European furniture and objects. The closest period rooms to me are at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto. I've taken a membership in the hope of having a voice to safeguard them.
Yes, museums today are trying hard to devise ways to present these beautiful objects in a new and inspiring manner, but feel obliged to acknowledge the baggage of history. That narrative often gets in the way of understanding beauty and quality.
Great tour of the US art scene. Thank you!
I love period rooms and I regret that they've gone out of fashion. With the elite classes of Europe being blamed for all the world's ills at this cultural moment, I fear for the future of smaller collections of European decorative arts in North America. De-commissioning of inventory is an opportunity for collectors, but a loss for the museum-going public, or at least that part of it that wants to see pre-1800 European furniture and objects. The closest period rooms to me are at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto. I've taken a membership in the hope of having a voice to safeguard them.
Yes, museums today are trying hard to devise ways to present these beautiful objects in a new and inspiring manner, but feel obliged to acknowledge the baggage of history. That narrative often gets in the way of understanding beauty and quality.