What Is the History of Art Museum?

Art|Art Museum

The history of art museums is a long and fascinating one. From the first collections of antiquities in the ancient world, to the grand galleries of Europe, to today’s modern art institutions, art museums have provided a way for people throughout history to appreciate, study and even collect works of art.

The earliest known art museum was created in Babylon in the 6th century BC. This collection was created by King Nebuchadnezzar II and housed many works of art from around the ancient world, including sculptures and paintings.

In Ancient Greece and Rome, collections of artwork were also popular amongst the wealthy elite. These collections typically included sculptures, pottery, coins and jewelry. While these pieces were often owned privately by individuals or families, they could also be seen as part of public displays in temples or public spaces.

The concept of an “art museum” as we know it today began to emerge during the Renaissance period in Europe. The first true art museum was opened in Rome during this period, with an emphasis on displaying religious works from Italy and elsewhere in Europe. Over time more galleries began to open across Europe with a broader selection of artwork on display for the public to enjoy.

During the 18th century, “cabinets of curiosities” began to appear throughout Europe as well. These cabinets displayed all sorts of interesting objects from around the world – from natural history specimens to ancient artifacts – giving rise to what would eventually become modern day natural history museums.

In the 19th century more formalized art museums began to appear with an emphasis on displaying fine arts such as painting and sculpture from around Europe and beyond, while natural history specimens continued to be displayed separately at their own institutions.

Today there are countless art museums all over the world that display both old masters work as well as contemporary pieces from living artists. Modern day art museums are also increasingly focused on education, allowing visitors an opportunity not only to view artwork but also learn more about its historical context and meaning behind it.

In conclusion, what is now known as an “art museum” has been evolving since antiquity when vast collections were stored in temples or held privately by wealthy elites for their own enjoyment or collection purposes. Over time these collections became more accessible for public viewing until finally becoming formalized galleries that we recognize today with their focus on education and appreciation for fine arts from around the world.