Delve into the history of early modern pharmacies through the lens of historical albarelli. This temporary exhibition at the Pharmacy Museum University of Basel merges non-destructive scientific analysis with traditional art history. Visitors can investigate the vibrant networks of trade, craftsmanship, and medical evolution that defined these Renaissance ceramic masterpieces.
Read curatorial context and practical visitor information for Fragile Masterpieces at Pharmacy Museum of the University of Basel in Basel
This exhibition explores the intersections of science, art, and globalization in early modern Europe through a focus on historical apothecary jars known as albarelli. By placing the Pharmacy Museum's ceramic collection at the center of new scientific and art historical research, the display reveals the pharmacy as a hub of international exchange and technical experimentation.
Fragile Masterpieces delves into the dual identity of the albarello, the iconic cylindrical jars that defined the visual and practical landscape of early modern pharmacies. These vessels were not only functional containers for medicinal ingredients but also markers of knowledge and authority for those who handled them. By examining the material composition and decorative history of these ceramics, the exhibition highlights the vibrant networks of trade, migration, and artistic influence that linked pottery workshops to the medical community across Europe. For the first time, this exhibition integrates non-destructive scientific analysis with traditional art historical study to provide new insights into the ceramic collection of the Pharmacy Museum. The project explores themes of experimentation, the history of materials, and the challenges faced by Renaissance craftsmen. Through the investigation of these lustrous surfaces, visitors are invited to look beyond the decorative facade of these vessels to understand their significance in the evolution of pharmacy and the broader scientific community of the time.
The exhibition is located at the Pharmacy Museum of the University of Basel. Visitors interested in guided tours are encouraged to contact the museum by phone at 061 207 48 11 for registration.
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A journey through historical apothecary and medical science.
Examine a comprehensive collection of pharmacy history and medical remedies at the University of Basel. See rare global medicinal ingredients, authentic laboratories, and historic pharmacy interior furnishings.
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