Coming soon: Wonder

Inspired by the cabinet of curiosity or Wunderkammer (wonder-room) that flourished in 17th and 18th-century Europe, this exhibition showcases the varied collections and often lesser-seen objects held by the Linnean Society.

The Society’s collections were founded on the library, manuscripts, and specimens of Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778). The collections were added to by the Society’s founder, Sir James Edward Smith (1759-1828) and its numerous illustrious Fellows over the years.

Cabinets of curiosities were often arranged systematically in order to classify objects, but they could also be arranged at random or at the whim of the collector. However, they all existed to elicit wonder and encourage discussion. Therefore, the less interpretation, the better.

Using unconventional categories of classification, this exhibition brings together only a small sample of our rich collections in both natural history and beyond. The items selected have been chosen for their uniqueness, quirkiness, importance, or aesthetics, but hopefully they all demonstrate the sheer joy of collecting.

More details to follow...