300 Years of Curiosity

After intensive research and reconstruction work, the Art and Natural History Chamber in the Historic Orphanage of the Francke Foundations in Halle was reopened in October 1995. It provides direct access to the collection culture of the early modern period. The chamber reminds visitors that they should be amazed and want to be amazed by the collections from the 16th to 18th centuries. This fascination sparked curiosity, which encouraged visitors to engage with the objects on display. The collections, which were found in countless numbers among the nobility and bourgeoisie, were intended to represent the macrocosm in the microcosm. Two intentions played an extremely important role in Halle: on the one hand, the Wunderkammer was an instrument for the glory of God and, on the other hand, it was a place of knowledge and science (physicotheology). All of this, in turn, was part of the educational context in the schools of the Francke Foundations in the 18th century. The accompanying catalogue to the annual exhibition not only reflects the diversity and dynamism of the 18th century on the basis of this unique collection, but also explores questions and topics that are still relevant today: from collection arrangements and collection furniture to public relations and visitor guidance in the 18th century to postcolonial perspectives, lost and mysterious objects. Particular attention should be paid to the fact that Carl von Linné's classification system was first presented in a museum setting in this cabinet of curiosities in Halle.

This book is published in German.