Museum.

Institution primarily for the preservation, display and study of works of cultural interest, but increasingly characterized by a broader range of social functions. The origins of the modern museum can be traced to Classical times. It was only after the Renaissance, however, that it came to be regarded as a vital public institution. Although museum history has traditionally been surveyed in the context of the history of Collecting and of the temporary Exhibition, the substantial growth in knowledge of each topic warrants their separate treatment. Architecturally, this institutional history has been accompanied by the development of an important building type. More detailed studies of major individual museums may be found under the headings for the cities in which they are located, while national historical overviews are contained within country and regional survey articles.

Classical origins.

Mouseion (Gr.), the etymological root of ‘museum’, was the term for ancient Greek temples dedicated to the muses of the arts and sciences, which by c. 500–450 bc were usually sites for funerary cult ceremonies as well as competitions among members of literary societies. Literary activities associated with the mouseion may have contributed to a broadening of its meaning to encompass other non-religious functions, particularly in the context of Hellenistic academies c. 400–300 bc. During this time Aristotle began his pioneering biological studies, which included the collection and taxonomy of specimens. His method of inquiry, grounded in observation and the promulgation of theories based exclusively on material evidence, marked a sharp departure from Plato’s procedure of investigation through dialogue and induction. Aristotle’s technique figured prominently in his lyceum, and it was advanced after his death by his student Theophrastus (c. 371–287 bc). A mouseion is documented as part of the lyceum’s study and teaching facilities in Theophrastus’ will (Diogenes Laertius: Lives, v. 51–7).

Knowledge of the lyceum and its mouseion reached Ptolemy I Soter (c. 367–283 bc), who incorporated and vastly enlarged the innovations in his plans for the new city of Alexandria. Primary functions of Ptolemy’s mouseion (c. 290–48 bc) included the recovery and preservation of texts and objects endangered by 4th-century bc political turmoil, the collection of biological samples and the production of new knowledge through organized study. The scope of the institution’s collecting was nearly universal, and classification of holdings was a major preoccupation. The place of honour accorded the mouseion of Alexandria in the corpus of Classical learning ensured that the meaning of ‘museum’ would thereafter include these activities.

Source: Grove Art Dictionary

What is a Museum? (I)

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