The Museum

Visited by millions around the world every year, discover the untold story of the history of the institution of the museum, one of mankind's most essential creations.

Using examples of the greatest cultural institutions to shape the narrative, this book outlines the history of the museum movement, tracking the evolution from princely collections in Europe and the Enlightenment's classically inspired temples of curiosities, via the public museums of the late nineteenth century, on to today's global era oficonic buildings designed by the world's leading architects.

Over the course of five chapters filled with stunning imagery that highlights the beauty of these venerated buildings, the origins of key institutions are revealed, including:

• Louvre;
• Metropolitan Museum of Art;
• British Museum;
• Tate Modern;
• Hermitage;
• Guggenheim;
• Smithsonian Institute;
• Acropolis Museum;

By examining how these venues became intrinsic to our shared cultural experience, analysing the changing roles they play in society and questioning what the future holds in a digital age, this book is for anyone who has stood in awe at the spectacle of a museum.