Les Cabinets des Curiosités were a group of bizarre and foreign items collected by the bourgeoisies with the intent of impressing each other. The original collection of this museum was just that, but that of the king, so one can only imagine how "impressive." Unfortunately, as a museum visitor of the 21st century, I failed to fully appreciate it.
Beyond that beginning, it is worth noting that
le musée Fragonard was initially used as a teaching device for the veterinary school for which it is a part of. Items are still labeled as they had been then with the scientific names and organized by scientific study (anatomy, skeletal, pathology). There is also little regard for the squeamish.
My final critique is that there has been very few updates to bring the museum from its unique beginnings into the 21st century. It is neither exciting nor inviting. Its historical value notwithstanding, efforts should be made to encourage more interaction with the pieces, if not through any of the senses than by understanding. I would have never been able to recognize the beauty in the realistic representations without our fabulous guide (a 4th year veterinarian student).
Honoré Fragonnard--the surgeon who created these anatomically-accurate pieces from the recently deceased using a revolutionary method with formaldehyde (and for whom the museum is named)--was a ridiculously talented artist... but I only believe medical professionals, biology students, and art historians have the potential to fully grasp how much in one solitary museum visit. Otherwise, this museum is simply a room with glass cases and disturbing spectacles.
