Week Three Comments

   In week three we discussed the origin of museums such as the Louvre and the Enlightenment. Museums such as the Louvre began as stately residences, where the nobility would display their private collection. This is illustrated by David Tenier's image of a royal collection. The exclusive nature of the visitors changed after the French Revolution, when the Louvre was rendered a public institution. Only old masters were displayed at the Louvre however, and contemporary artists in the 18th century were displayed at the Luxembourg Museum.

   The most interesting discussion of week three concerned Giorgio Vasari's The Lives of the Most Eminent Painters, Sculptors and Architects. Vasari's introduction to his compendium established the Western canon for art. He sought to write a history, which might be considered the first art historical document.

   Week three represented the laying of the foundation for the rest of the course, an effective transition into the remaining material.