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Miraculum orbis

A revival of interest in the theme of the cabinets of curiosities, or previously known as the Chamber of Wonders or Studiolo, occurred during the reign of the Medici family in Florence. The men of power liked to collect paintings, animals, plants, minerals of distant origins and all kinds of objects in order to make them admired by erudite people.

The public sales organized on this theme (most recently the Maison Millon Riviera which offered "the Walk of Wonders" on the occasion of the inauguration of the sales room-gallery last month in Nice), theexhibition on "the notebooks of collections" until September 2018 presented at the Museum of Confluences in Lyon, and even a film selected at the Cannes Film Festival (The Museum of Wonders by Todd Haynes) soon to be released in cinemas, are so many events focused on the interest of the natural and cultural origins of humanity.

The first studiolo of the Medici family in Florence

In the book "Cabinets of Curiosities - A Passion for Collecting" by Davenne and Fleurent, published by Editions de La Martinière in 2011, the authors describe the original form of the cabinet of curiosities which originated in Italy. The studiolo multiplies in the Cinquecento within illustrious families: Medici in Florence, Montefeltre in Urbino and Gonzaga in Mantua who wish to affirm their glory. A particular room called "studiolo" is dedicated to the presentation of collections in the form of accumulation of rare objects: paintings, clocks, grimoires...

The Renaissance man takes a new look at his place in the world and questions the old ways of thinking based essentially on religious principles. The foundations of humanist philosophy blossomed, notably through the opening up of intellectual thought in the light of translations of ancient Greek texts and the beginnings of science. These new notions are approached then transmitted in the circles close to the power.

The evolution of the cabinet of curiosities

From the observation of the curiosities of nature, is born a reflection on the origin of the World. In addition to affirming its power, the room of wonders becomes a place of knowledge and transmission of symbolic and mythological knowledge. It is transformed into a cave in the 16th century, the place of exhibition is oriented towards a typology of "monstrosities" known then. The theme was taken up again during an exhibition at the art gallery of the Bouches du Rhone General Council with the evocative title "the cabinet of wonders sneezes of crows, oyster feet and leopard eggs".

At the end of the 17th century, it reflects the more scientific spirit of the time with a desire to experiment. In 1683, Elias Ashmole founded the first university museum in the world in Oxford.

Encyclopedic rigor was imposed in the 18th century. The classifications were organized by field and became more systematic and precise. Antoine Schnapper explains masterfully in his work "The Giant, the Unicorn and the Tulip" the transition made on the themes of history and natural history in the cabinets of curiosity in France during the Enlightenment. The writing of dictionaries poses the problem of classifying animal and plant species, books, medals, archaeological objects, by geographical area or interest.

Contemporary art, a bridge between past and future

The presentation of natural or man-made objects in a reduced space is therefore based on a subjective selection. Reducing the World in a closed space amounts to presenting the look we have on it at a given moment.

From the 15th century's room of wonders to the decorator Jacques Garcia who reinvents the principle in the 21st century in his Château du Champ de Bataille, we see the same desire to preserve and possess extraordinary objects in the sense of rarity but also for their historical interest. The transmission of universal values passes through the initiation of young generations to the splendors of our planet and human genius.

Contemporary artists sensitive to symbols tirelessly reinterpret the same themes as their elders. Thus the ostrich egg of Jean Michel Othoniel, exhibited at the Museum of Hunting and Nature in Paris, which sets an ostrich egg in glass which symbolizes the union of the artist's hand and a natural work.

Miraculum orbis

What are the objects that can still amaze us like children?

Jaded by luxury brand accessories or computer screens, we can easily recharge our batteries with the beauty of nature and artists. To rediscover the taste of the observation of the Wonders of the World, the sharing of this knowledge are a real pleasure.

The possession of objects piquing our curiosity is not synonymous with exorbitant prices; to begin with, a visit to the mineral and fossil fairs allows us to approach the moving theme of the mineral kingdom since the origin of millions of years and to locate the traces of the birth of life on earth and then of animals and men. These fairs present numerous varieties of cut, rough or ornamental stones, pearls and shells, ethnic objects as well as meteorites allowing a moving trip in space-time.

For 4 euros the entrance, the association of Naturalists of Nice organizes their 33 rd bourse to minerals and fossils on November 18 and 19, 2017, you will find all the events organized in France on the site fairs to minerals and fossils. Do not miss: the unavoidable mineral expo in Paris from December 1 to 3, 2017 where our friend Thierry Pradat welcomes you on his stand "gem plus" specialized in the stones of collection (quartz with inclusions among others).

 

Brocantes, auctions and antique dealers specializing in old (jewelry, archaeology, books, numismatics, stamps, cartography) or contemporary art (salon galeristes - salon des collectionneurs on December 8 and 10, 2017 at the Carreau du Temple) will be able to complete your own universe.