The Arundel Marbles

“Collecting may be defined as a form of consumption characterized by the selection, the gathering together, and setting aside a group of objects” (Swann 6). Collecting art in the early modern period was a cultural phenomenon in England. “Collecting was a vital social practice during the early modern period because it served as a point of convergence for a wide range of cultural forces” such as social status, rarity of the object, and historical significance (Swann 16). It is imperative to remember that one does not collect art for the sole purpose of admiring it; but rather, in order to assemble a collection based on the rarity of the object in order to prove one’s wealth and status (Class Lecture 7/7).

The Wilton House, an English country …show more content…
By “Gathering rarities […] early modern travelers established their own social credentials while simultaneously enhancing the standing of the collectors” (Swann 27). People were mainly intrigued by the rare quality of objects. These objects possess a greater value because they are in limited supply, and are extremely exclusive. The Wilton House is one of the few institutions that possess some of the Arundel marbles, and numerous other sculptures. The Arundel marbles are from classical Rome. These possessions reinforce the idea that some objects are collected based on their rarity, rather than their intrinsic value. This provides the owner with a certain amount of social persuasion and power because people who visit the Wilton House and see the marbles will be provided with a unique experience. The experience cannot be obtained anywhere else, simply because no other place possesses the Wilton House collection. The exclusivity of objects, such as the Arundel marbles, provides the owner with power and influence. When the viewer sees these objects, they become filled with wonder, because there are no other pieces like them. The wonder felt by the audience when seeing the works, “could designate both an object and a viewer’s emotional and intellectual response to an astonishing physical thing” (Swann 25). This explains how the Wilton house has the biggest collection of classical antiquities in …show more content…
This can be seen not only through the Classical Arundel marbles in the house, but also through the Classical Palladian architecture in whish it was constructed. The sheer size of the house reinforces the magnificence of the family; however, the plain, simple, regularity of the exterior emphasizes the classical influence displayed. Even thought hid building does not have columns of a typical Roman temple style construction, I still possessed many classical values. It is the buildings symmetry and plain exterior that are classical elements. The incorporation of these features was crucial during the early modern period, because it referenced both the Renaissance movement occurring throughout Europe, and Classical Rome. This displayed that the owner was worldly and aware of cultural movements, not just the ones in England. When the house was being constructed the Herbert family were considered “new men”, and had to prove themselves and their worth, through their collection and the construction of their house. Having a house of classical architecture indicated the family’s noble taste in the excellence, precision, and beauty of Antiquity. It is important to recognize a house as a part of a collection because it is more than just a building. It contains the insight to the family’s intimate, personal