Czy zbiory Muzeum Historycznego muszą być piękne?

Abstrakt

DOES THE COLLECTION OF THE HISTORICAL MUSEUM HAVE TO BE BEAUTIFUL?

Museum collections are usually associated with heritage objects. But this is a qualified statement. We are looking at heritage art objects of artistic value. But we are also acquainted with historic landmarks, including architecture, as well as with numerous everyday utensils. Natural landmarks, such as unusually shaped rock formations or rare specimens of trees, are also well known. Certainly, one can find numerous easel paintings in the Historical Museum of the City of Cracow. The themes of these paintings are worthy attention.lt is the right place here to discuss which historic objects and exhibits in historical museum collections are not necessarily attractive to the viewer, whether it be their content or decorative values. Basically historical museum collections are not devoted to religious painting, whilst historic themes are well represented. Here they include significant historical events and the life of Cracow throughout past centuries. Michał Stachowicz's “Kościuszko taking the oath in Cracow’s Main Square” and other paintings depicting significant events which took place in Cracow, including the history of the Marksmen’s Confraternity, may serve as examples of such paintings. Artistic crafts, guild mementoes, clocks, goldwork, tin vessels and Judaica are widely represented in the Historical Museum collection and constitute a significant part of it. Among exhibits on display in the Historical Museums are several which do not have other than historical values. These include archive documents, such as announcements and other documents from the period of WWII. Old photographs also belong to this category. Certainly, this does not refer to artistic photographs but rather to various documentary photographs. Exhibits connected with material culture include various tools for which the most important value is their age. Other qualities may include their uniqueness, the form suited to their purpose, and sometimes their origins, former owners etc.
One should also mention various “mementoes” which can be found in almost every museum. On an exhibition devoted to Chopin which has been recently held in Warsaw, one exhibit was particularly moving - a lock of the composer’s hair.
Summary:
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.Not all exhibits in historical museums have to be beautiful
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.Many exhibits in museum collections are of historical value only
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.Despite the above, the majority of exhibits in such museums are remarkable also for their artistic value.
Considering the above, the number of historians employed in historical museums should be increased. Only 20% of the staff of the Historical Museum of the City of Cracow are historians. I should like to conclude with the following statement: exhibits on display in historical museums do not have to be beautiful but usually they are.