British ceramic collections at the Vienna Weltausstellung 1873

An observation was made regarding the Vienna Weltausstellung [World Exhibition], that the displayed ceramics fell neatly within the auspices and objectives of world exhibitions in that they combined science, industry and art. The temporary ceramic collections which formed part of the exhibition therefore provide an interesting starting point from which to view the individual submissions. Japan and Britain’s responses to the announcement of the event were markedly different. Geographically as in the field of industrialization the two stood apart, as did their displays – located at opposite ends of the exhibition hall – yet in their objectives they were not dissimilar and each looked to the other for artistic ideas. For Japan it was the first opportunity for the new government, following the Meiji restoration of 1868, to participate in such an exhibition; for Britain it was another in a long series of World Exhibitions. Visitors’ observations on the consequences of these differing circumstances are highlighted in this article, as well as their comments on the commercial success of the exhibitions. Impressions and comments are freely quoted in order to convey both contemporary views and outdated philosophies: together they provide opportunities for an assessment of the impact made by the exhibition on its visiting public.

Art · Art history · Business · Exhibition · Government (linguistics) · Industrialisation · Media studies · Order (exchange) · Point (geometry) · Political science · Sociology · Visual arts · Archaeological Research and Protection · Cultural Heritage Management and Preservation · History · Law

• Exposições internacionais

  Open Access•Nelson Sanjad•História Ciências Saúde-Manguinhos•2017

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