The Digital Ark: Early Modern Collections of Curiosities in England and Scotland, 1580-1700

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Classification and Value in a Seventeenth-Century Museum: William Courten's Collection

Secondary Title (i.e. Proceedings Title): Periodical Title:Journal of the History of Collections Publication Type:Journal Article Authors:Gibson-Wood,Carol

 Editors: Publisher: Place of Publication: Publication Date:1997 Alternate Date (i.e. Conference Date): Volume:9 Issue:1 Start Page:61 End Page:77 Abstract:Like many 17th-century virtuoso cabinets, that of William Courten (1642-1702) contained prints, drawings, and paintings, as well as medals, natural specimens, and other curiosities. After providing a general account of Courten and his 'museum' (which was inherited by Sir Hans Sloane and thereby became part of the British Museum), this article focuses on the roles of pictures therein. Fine botanical paintings, valued as accurate conveyors of natural historical knowledge, were by far the most expensive items in Courten's collection. But he also owned a number of Old Master drawings and a large collection of prints that he cataloged according to artist, subject matter, and quality. Insofar as virtuosi like Courten valued and classified a wide range of images in several different ways, it is suggested that the modern characterization of early collectors that distinguishes between 'artistic' and 'non-artistic' interests is inappropriate. [J]

 Descriptors/Keywords:England

Courten, William

Collectors and Collecting

Classification

Art

 ISBN:09546650 URL:http://search.ebscohost.com.cyber.usask.ca/login.aspx?direct=true&db=hia&AN=H001563141.01&loginpage=Login.asp&site=ehost-live
Documents in Print Item: No Documents Listed in Print Item Attached People: Subject of/in a document - Courten, William (28 Mar 1642-26 Mar 1702)
Collector (minor) - Courten, William (28 Mar 1642-26 Mar 1702)
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