Art, Science, and Alchemy: Royal Collecting in the European Curiosity Cabinet

For sixteenth and seventeenth-century princes and scholars, a favorite pastime was assembling a cabinet of curiosities. These cabinets, filled with exotic specimens of naturalia and thought-provoking artistic and scientific creations from bygone eras, were private testaments to the collector’s intellect, to be shared only with select guests.

Dr. Reist’s presentation will highlight exceptional examples of the exotica – crocodiles, shells and amber – and spectacular scientific instruments, alchemical paraphernalia, and works of art that so captivated the princes of Europe over more than two centuries.

The March 26 presentation is free for Museum members and students (with valid ID); $15 for non-members. Reception at 6:30 pm; the presentation begins at 7:00 pm, and will be followed by a question-and-answer session. Advance registration required.