Preliminary communication

Science in the Museum as Necessity – An Example of Scientific Research on the Furniture of Herman Bollé and Dragutin Turković, Cabinetmaker from Đakovo

Vanja Brdar Mustapić ; Muzej za umjetnost i obrt, Zagreb

Abstract

Scientific research is an integral part of complex museum activity, but its status within the Croatian museums is still unclear (because most museums are not formally scientific institutions), so its implementation in practice is burdened with various problems and public’s continuous doubts about its need, regardless of the legislation and the arguments of the curators and museologists. Therefore, this paper once again emphasizes the necessity of scientific research in museums, especially in museums of applied arts, whose specific objects and collections require specialist knowledge, which – according to art historian and former Head of Research at the Victoria & Albert Museum Charles Saumarez Smith – positions them as centers of research in that field since scientific institutions deal with it in to a lesser extent. What also gives an additional dimension after the earthquakes – this data is the basis for the protection and restauration of the works of art themselves, as well as the damaged objects and interiors, which unfortunately was experienced at the Museum of Arts and Crafts. The presented thematic model from own research practice is only one of the examples that confirms it. It was chosen due to its compatibility with the guest exhibition of the Museum of Arts and Crafts (Zagreb) „MUO in Slavonia – Slavonia in MUO” in the Museum of Slavonia Osijek (April 2023 – April 2024), which was the initial intention of the organizers of the scientific colloquium „Science in the function of cultural heritage” (Osijek, International Museum Day, May 18th 2023) at which the lecture was held. The topic is connected both with the history and collection of the Zagreb museum and (in one segment) with the Slavonian cultural heritage.

Keywords

science; museums; applied arts and design; Museum of Arts and Crafts; Herman Bollé; Dragutin Turković; Đakovo

Hrčak ID:

317526

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/317526

Publication date:

18.5.2024.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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