Lenoir, QuatremĂšre and the hermeneutic significance of the MusĂ©e des Monuments franĂ§ais
This thesis proposes an interpretation of the MusĂ©e des Monuments franĂ§ais in Paris (1795-1816) in conjunction with QuatremĂšre de Quincy's contemporary writings on the museum in general. The aim of this is twofold: Firstly, to identify and explore the significance of the MusĂ©e as an important instance in the history of the modern museum institution; and, secondly, to offer new insight into QuatremĂšre's celebrated critique against the institution in general, and the MusĂ©e des Monuments in particular. Through an examination of the MusĂ©e's history and its intellectual context, alongside a detailed description of its layout/ its collections and their arrangement, informed by contemporary reports and criticism, as well as the lengthy writings of its creator and curator Alexandre Lenoir, the project's key features are identified and analysed. Subsequently, the main aim of the MusĂ©e is seen as a quest for identity and order in history, through the medium of art. Furthermore, the MusĂ©e is identified as ultimately transcending its historicist basis, through a poetic engagement with its various fragments - both literal and metaphorical. At the same time, a close reading of QuatremĂšre's texts relating to the
Stara, Alexandra
Museums ; History ; France ; Paris
Lenoir, QuatremĂšre and the hermeneutic significance of the MusĂ©e des Monuments franĂ§ais. This thesis proposes an interpretation of the MusĂ©e des Monuments franĂ§ais in Paris (1795-1816) in conjunction with QuatremĂšre de Quincy's contemporary writings on the museum in general. The aim of this is twofold: Firstly, to identify and explore the significance of the MusĂ©e as an important instance in the history of the modern museum institution; and, secondly, to offer new insight into QuatremĂšre's celebrated critique against the institution in general, and the MusĂ©e des Monuments in particular. Through an examination of the MusĂ©e's history and its intellectual context, alongside a detailed description of its layout/ its collections and their arrangement, informed by contemporary reports and criticism, as well as the lengthy writings of its creator and curator Alexandre Lenoir, the project's key features are identified and analysed. Subsequently, the main aim of the MusĂ©e is seen as a quest for identity and order in history, through the medium of art. Furthermore, the MusĂ©e is identified as ultimately transcending its historicist basis, through a poetic engagement with its various fragments - both literal and metaphorical. At the same time, a close reading of QuatremĂšre's texts relating to the
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