Collecting and Identity. Meanings and Interpretations
KapitolaGothic Revival and Collecting Defining Identity through Alternative Taste
Rok vydání: 2026https://doi.org/10.5817/CZ.MUNI.P280-0874-2026-4
Abstrakt
The paper explores the relationship between collecting and identity through the phenomenon of the Gothic Revival. Focusing on the nineteenth century, it examines how collectors and patrons used medieval-inspired objects and aesthetics to articulate alternative cultural and social identities. Rather than reflecting dominant tastes, Gothic Revival collecting expressed specific ideological, historical, and emotional affiliations that distinguished its adherents from prevailing artistic norms. The study demonstrates that collecting functioned as a means of self-definition and identity formation, revealing how aesthetic preferences could embody broader cultural values and notions of the past. By highlighting the role of alternative taste, the chapter contributes to a deeper understanding of the connections between collecting practices and the construction of identity.
Klíčová slova
Gothic Revival, nineteenth century, England, identity, taste