September 11 - October 11, 2015

Wunderkammer: Origins of the Collection

Fueled by an increased interest in understanding the natural world, 16th century Europe witnessed the emergence of a new trend that united scientific discovery with artistic display. This process of collecting objects from nature and of human creation manifested itself in assemblages of wondrous and exotic items known as “cabinets of curiosities”.

Founder of Roanoke College, David Bittle had ambitions of building the largest library and exhibition hall in the South. With its core focus on natural history, the complex would also highlight his collection of mineral samples totaling 11,000. In homage to Bittle’s own interest in collecting, Olin Gallery’s exhibit aimed to put a contemporary twist on this centuries old tradition through illuminating the personal collection of Bittle himself in addition to those of past and current professors here at the college.