Greece and Rome at the Crystal Palace, 1854-1936
Greece and Rome at the Crystal Palace, 1854-1936' examines the presentation of classical civilisations to a mass audience in the 'Peoples' Palace' through reconstructions of ancient monuments and casts of sculpture. Studies of the Crystal Palace at Sydenham have not moved beyond cataloguing exhibits. It tends to be conflated with its predecessor, the Great Exhibition or 1851, which has been widely discussed in terms of content, relationship to the British Empire, and political importance. The Crystal Palace at Sydenham is a significant instance of mid-nineteenth century engagement with the classical past, broadening our understanding of classics in the nineteenth century outside public schools, universities and museums. Using archival material, I build up a picture of how visitors used and understood the displays of classical civilisations at the Palace. I examine the relationship of classical sculpture to nineteenth-century discussions about morality and discipline and industrial design, and the relationship between the British and Roman empires as displayed at this popular leisure destination.
Nichols, Eleanor Kate
Greece and Rome at the Crystal Palace, 1854-1936. Greece and Rome at the Crystal Palace, 1854-1936' examines the presentation of classical civilisations to a mass audience in the 'Peoples' Palace' through reconstructions of ancient monuments and casts of sculpture. Studies of the Crystal Palace at Sydenham have not moved beyond cataloguing exhibits. It tends to be conflated with its predecessor, the Great Exhibition or 1851, which has been widely discussed in terms of content, relationship to the British Empire, and political importance. The Crystal Palace at Sydenham is a significant instance of mid-nineteenth century engagement with the classical past, broadening our understanding of classics in the nineteenth century outside public schools, universities and museums. Using archival material, I build up a picture of how visitors used and understood the displays of classical civilisations at the Palace. I examine the relationship of classical sculpture to nineteenth-century discussions about morality and discipline and industrial design, and the relationship between the British and Roman empires as displayed at this popular leisure destination.
greece rome palace greece rome palace examines presentation classical civilisation mass audience palace reconstruction_ancient monument cast sculpture studies palace move_beyond catalogue exhibit tends conflate predecessor great_exhibition widely_discuss term content relationship british_empire political importance palace significant instance engagement classical past broaden classic outside public school university museum using archival_material build_picture visitor use understood display classical civilisation palace examine_relationship classical sculpture nineteenth_century discussion morality discipline industrial design relationship british roman empires display popular leisure destination