I grew up across the river from Philly -- a bit to the north, but right there on the Delaware. Philadelphia was always a great place for kids to experience museums... Never got to visit Peale's museum of course (I'm not *that* freaking old), but aside from the Natural History Museum, Franklin Institute, and of course the Art Museum, I remember another one a little to the northwest of Independence Hall called the Atwater-Kent Museum -- from a century-plus after Peale's time. Lots of *miniature* dioramas, as I recall, which I guess at least didn't set us up for all the weird cognitive dissonances of the life-size ones.
Gotta say, if you'd been a docent at the Atwater-Kent Museum back then, I am *positive* I'd remember my visits there much better. You're a real treasure, Emma.
The men-powering-buckets-excavator looks like a fever dream painting contemplating the plight of Sisyphus.
Thank you for this well written article and the shout-out to the Peale in Baltimore which I have neglected while being a local to the Walters Art Museum.
I’m not sure. We know a lot about how the Peales understood the arrangement and very little about how Moses did, which makes me uncomfortable filling in that blank for him.
I always smile in anticipation when I receive an email telling me one of your essays has arrived, and I have never, yet, been disappointed by one.
This was no exception.
Thanks
Exactly.
I have to ask: is it just coincidence that your profile pic looks like it was created via physiognotrace?
I can assure you no slaves were employed in the making of my silhouette, not a one
It's been too long since i've been to a Mastodon skeleton party!
I treasure your writings, TY
💙💜
Thank you, another great thought provoking piece.
Emma, as always, great work. You have a wonderful way of illustrating periods and people that is awesome.
Thank you.
Thank you for the wonderful compliment 💜💙
I grew up across the river from Philly -- a bit to the north, but right there on the Delaware. Philadelphia was always a great place for kids to experience museums... Never got to visit Peale's museum of course (I'm not *that* freaking old), but aside from the Natural History Museum, Franklin Institute, and of course the Art Museum, I remember another one a little to the northwest of Independence Hall called the Atwater-Kent Museum -- from a century-plus after Peale's time. Lots of *miniature* dioramas, as I recall, which I guess at least didn't set us up for all the weird cognitive dissonances of the life-size ones.
Gotta say, if you'd been a docent at the Atwater-Kent Museum back then, I am *positive* I'd remember my visits there much better. You're a real treasure, Emma.
P.S. The Atwater-Kent's gone now, but its collection is housed at Drexel U. There's an online version, some random images of which are here:
https://philadelphiahistory.catalogaccess.com/random-images
A lot of that stuff could inspire future Filthy Objects posts! (Not that you seem to be on the brink of running out of your own ideas, ha.)
"Same objects, in some cases the same cases........". You often have a few clever play-on-word sentences in your essays that pull me in. This was one.
Outstanding. You opened my eyes on a subject area that I have close to zero knowledge. Thank you.
The men-powering-buckets-excavator looks like a fever dream painting contemplating the plight of Sisyphus.
Thank you for this well written article and the shout-out to the Peale in Baltimore which I have neglected while being a local to the Walters Art Museum.
That or a Bosch painting
This is material that I didn’t know. Thank you Emma for enlightening us. 🙌🏻
Terrific essay
I wonder if Moses considered himself fortunate. I’m guessing he did
I’m not sure. We know a lot about how the Peales understood the arrangement and very little about how Moses did, which makes me uncomfortable filling in that blank for him.
Fair enough. I can’t help wondering. I find myself wanting to try understand what it would be like to be him in that situation.