midterm

Question 1

What is the origin of the word ‘museum’?

Answer 1

Comes from the Greek word, temple of muses

Refers to a place dedicated to the Muses, the goddesses of the arts and sciences.

Question 2

Where was a famous early museum located?

Answer 2

In Alexandria, Egypt, 3rd century BC

Known for its academic and philosophical institution.

Question 3

What is a Galleria?

Answer 3

An open-air museum from the Roman Empire

Publicly accessible spaces where art and statues were valued.

Question 4

Define Gabinetto.

Answer 4

A square room filled with curiosities, taxidermy, and botanical specimens

Often displayed rare and unusual items.

Question 5

What does Wunderkammer translate to?

Answer 5

Cabinet of wonder

A showcase designed to awe guests.

Question 6

What significant event occurred in 1671 regarding museums?

Answer 6

The first university museum was established in Switzerland

House Zur Mucke became accessible to the public.

Question 7

Who wrote the first dictionary of the English language?

Answer 7

Dr. Samuel Johnson

Published in 1755, defining words for the first time.

Question 8

What is the definition of a museum according to Dr. Samuel Johnson?

Answer 8

A repository of learned curiosities

Reflects the era’s quest for knowledge and understanding of the world.

Question 9

What role did nationalism play in the establishment of museums?

Answer 9

Museums showcased national glory and dominance

Often involved plundering artifacts from conquered places.

Question 10

When was the British Museum established?

Answer 10

1753

Created in response to nationalistic pressures.

Question 11

What was the purpose of the Vatican Museums established in 1757?

Answer 11

To house artistic and historical treasures from military expeditions

Part of church efforts to display power and culture.

Question 12

When was the Smithsonian Institution established?

Answer 12

In the 1840s

It was a government initiative following a gift to establish a museum.

Question 13

Who is George Brown Goode?

Answer 13

An important figure in museum history

Advocated for educational labels in museums.

Question 14

What was John Cotton Dana’s view on museums?

Answer 14

He believed museums should be part of democracy and public access

Advocated for a welcoming and engaging museum atmosphere.

Question 15

What did Benjamin Ives Gilman contribute to museum philosophy?

Answer 15

He viewed museums as temples of awe and transformative experiences

Emphasized the need for interpretative staff.

Question 16

What significant change occurred in the definition of a museum in 1896?

Answer 16

Emphasis shifted away from curiosities and learning

Defined as a repository for works of art and science.

Question 17

What was established in 2019 regarding museum definitions?

Answer 17

A Standing Committee for the museum definition was created

Focused on research, conservation, and public service.

Question 18

What is the fourth museum concept introduced?

Answer 18

Bringing objects to communities rather than being confined to buildings

Example: National Museum of the American Indian employs indigenous people.

Question 19

What are some reasons people collect objects?

Answer 19

• Souvenirs from travels
• Family heirlooms
• Gifts
• Sentimentalism
• Rarity
• Curiosity

Collecting can also reflect identity and dominance.

Question 20

What is material culture?

Answer 20

Objects and artifacts shaped by human behavior

Definitions have evolved over time.

Question 21

What significant archaeological site is associated with Sutton Hoo?

Answer 21

A ship burial site from 625 AD in England

Changed perceptions of the Middle Ages regarding craftsmanship and global ties.

Question 22

What is the significance of church treasuries?

Answer 22

Housed significant religious and historical objects

Included relics, chalices, and items of spiritual importance.

Question 23

What are liturgical objects?

Answer 23

Items used in religious services

Examples include the Bible and chalices.

Question 24

What are relics?

Answer 24

Parts of saints or objects from holy places

Considered to have holy powers.

Question 25

What is the significance of the Antioch chalice?

Answer 25

A liturgical object thought to have belonged to Antioch ## Footnote Associated with Jesus and apostles, once believed to be the Holy Grail.

Question 26

What was the purpose of the Abbey of St. Denis established in 1144 AD?

Answer 26

To attract pilgrims through the gathering of religious objects ## Footnote Led by Bishop Suger, it became a significant church in Europe.

Question 27

What was the impact of the Crusades on collections?

Answer 27

Increased access to diverse cultures and artifacts ## Footnote Resulted in the plundering of treasures for churches.

Question 28

Who was Count Paul Raint?

Answer 28

A scholar who cataloged objects from the Crusades ## Footnote His records led to the creation of new religious feasts.

Question 29

What role did women play in the reception of relics?

Answer 29

Often received relics from male family members who died in crusades ## Footnote Their status was reinforced through these holy objects.

Question 30

What does the term 'cabinet of curiosities' refer to?

Answer 30

A collection of unusual and rare items ## Footnote Also known as Wunderkammer.

Question 31

What was the Age of the Marvelous?

Answer 31

A period emphasizing awe and wonder in museums ## Footnote Related to Aristotle's doctrine of magnificence.

Question 32

What new scientific spirit emerged during explorations?

Answer 32

A drive to categorize and understand new findings ## Footnote Combined spiritual and scientific inquiries.

Question 33

What is Mirabilia?

Answer 33

Finite marvels in collections ## Footnote Part of a new classification system for objects.

Question 34

Who was Samuel Von Quiccheberg?

Answer 34

A librarian who wrote about organizing collections for education ## Footnote His work laid groundwork for museum curation.

Question 35

What is the purpose of using wax and mercury in preservation?

Answer 35

Way of preservation for animals or specimens ## Footnote This method allows for the long-term storage of biological samples.

Question 36

Who was Samuel Von Quiccheberg?

Answer 36

A librarian and one of the first to organize collections for educational purposes ## Footnote He authored 'Inscriptiones' in 1565, which guided the organization of collections.

Question 37

What is 'Theatrum anatomicum'?

Answer 37

A dissection theater at the University of Leiden established in 1594 ## Footnote It included a botanical garden and was open to the public during the summer.

Question 38

What significant trends emerged in the late Renaissance regarding museums?

Answer 38

* Universities associated with museums * Anatomical dissection focus for medical students * Explosion of information about the human body

Question 39

What was Luca Ghini known for?

Answer 39

Pioneering the drying of plants and flowers between two sheets ## Footnote His method contributed to the creation of dry collections.

Question 40

What is Hortus Botanicus?

Answer 40

The oldest botanical garden created by Charles de Lelcluse at Leiden ## Footnote It served as a medicinal garden for students.

Question 41

What role did the Medici family play in the art world?

Answer 41

They were the richest family in Italy, controlling Florence and collecting art ## Footnote They established long hallways for art in their palace.

Question 42

What did Pope Sixtus IV establish in 1471?

Answer 42

The Capitoline Museum ## Footnote He created this museum to house ancient statues collected for him.

Question 43

What was the significance of Pope Leo X in the Vatican?

Answer 43

He filled the Vatican garden with statues and hired Raphael as a curator ## Footnote This was part of a broader initiative to curate antiquities.

Question 44

What was a consequence of the Sack of Rome in 1527?

Answer 44

Holy Roman Emperor Charles V took treasures for his private collections ## Footnote This event shifted the focus of art collection in Europe.

Question 45

True or False: Many indigenous artifacts are well-documented in European museums.

Answer 45

False ## Footnote Many indigenous peoples are unaware of the artifacts held in museums.

Question 46

What was the impact of colonialism on museum collections?

Answer 46

Museums often reflect the legacy of colonialism and calls for repatriation of artifacts ## Footnote This includes the demand for returning items to their countries of origin.

Question 47

What was the purpose of Captain James Cook's visit to Hawaii in 1778-1779?

Answer 47

To make initial contact with indigenous people and collect valuable items ## Footnote This included taking feather helmets, which were significant to the local culture.

Question 48

What is salvage archaeology/anthropology?

Answer 48

The practice of collecting artifacts from cultures believed to be 'dying out' ## Footnote This often involved justifying collection based on perceived racial inferiority.

Question 49

Fill in the blank: Darwinism laid the groundwork for justifying _______.

Answer 49

[colonialism and collection]

Question 50

What was the rationale behind pre-contact focus in collections?

Answer 50

To understand indigenous societies before European influence ## Footnote This perspective assumes a decline of indigenous cultures post-contact.

Question 51

What did Peter Russell's proclamation in 1797 address?

Answer 51

It addressed the violation of decency in digging up indigenous graves ## Footnote However, no one was charged for these violations until much later.

Question 52

Who was Minik and what happened to him?

Answer 52

An Inuit from Greenland who was brought to New York City and later sought to retrieve his father's remains ## Footnote His father's skeleton was put on display in a museum.

Question 53

What was Peter Jones's role in indigenous missionary work?

Answer 53

He converted indigenous people to Christianity and collected items from them ## Footnote This was part of a broader effort to establish indigenous missionaries.

Question 54

What was the significance of the Thomahok pipe?

Answer 54

It served as a diplomatic gift symbolizing treaties between nations ## Footnote This object is currently in the Smithsonian.

Question 55

True or False: The collection of human remains was a common practice in early museums.

Answer 55

True ## Footnote Many collections included human remains, often without proper documentation.

Question 56

What did Peter Martin achieve as a Mohawk doctor?

Answer 56

He became the second doctor in Canada and created a museum in Ontario ## Footnote His collection included human remains and artifacts from around the world.