When Europe was racing at the museum

Museums are living things.

They are born, grow, sometimes die or molt.

Krzysztof Pomian reminds us wisely, in this period of closure which dragged on for the 1,200 museums in France.

When were these establishments born, immense and imposing machines with treasures and documents more or less suitably arranged but at least maintained for all, and even property of each citizen?

Krzysztof Pomian draws on his vast erudition to paint, with a clear and synthetic style, a picture of this first half of the 19th century, midwife of the modern museum.

Why did galleries of fine arts, history, museums, archaeological or ethnographic centers and other conservatories of techniques and trades suddenly sprout like mushrooms in the wake of the Enlightenment, the Revolution and the first mass wars?

This first in Paris, then in Europe before the New World?

To read also:

Charles Jaigu: "The European invention of the museum"

In the second volume, released since March 11, of a world history of museums that is at the same time political, social and cultural (three volumes in the long term!), The 87-year-old historian and philosopher draws on his vast erudition to brush, with style

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