Technical Aesthetics
Illustrations are ubiquitous in archaeological reports and publications, which can sometimes make them easy to overlook; we read them for quick information, without pausing to consider their artistic qualities or the skill involved in producing them. In this Off the Shelf exhibit, we will explore how different models of architectural illustration evolved to serve different archaeological philosophies and approaches. Looking at documents from the 17th century to the present, we will trace the branching genealogy of representational conventions that produced the rich (and sometimes contested) culture of architectural illustration that archaeologists employ today.
The Museum Library’s monthly pop-up exhibit program, Off the Shelf, is open to Penn students, faculty, and staff as well as Penn Museum visitors.