Grand Tour collecting and the formation of Neoclassical collections (1750–1830)

1. British Museum founded by Act of Parliament

   Jun 7, 1753Labels: British Museum, Act of

   • British Museum
   • Britannica

2. British Museum opens to the public

   Jan 15, 1759Labels: British Museum, Montagu House

   • British Museum
   • History Today

3. First volume of *The Antiquities of Athens* published

   Jan 1, 1762Labels: Stuart &, The Antiquities

   • UC Berkeley
   • Britannica

4. Hamilton’s vase collection catalogued in d’Hancarville volumes

   Jan 1, 1766Labels: Sir William, d Hancarville

   • National Trust
   • Bard GC

5. Pio-Clementino Museum opens for antiquities

   Jan 1, 1772Labels: Pio Clementino, Vatican

   • Britannica
   • Vatican Museums

6. Hamilton sells first Greek vase collection to British Museum

   Jan 1, 1772Labels: Sir William, British Museum

   • British Museum
   • Bard GC

7. Piranesi publishes *Vasi, Candelabri, Cippi, Sarcofagi* (vol. 1)

   Jan 1, 1778Labels: Giovanni Piranesi, Vasi Candelabri

   • Wikimedia
   • NG Prague

8. Second volume of *The Antiquities of Athens* published

   Jan 1, 1787Labels: Stuart &, The Antiquities

   • UC Berkeley
   • WorldCat

9. Louvre opens as a public museum

   Aug 10, 1793Labels: Louvre, public museum

   • Britannica
   • HISTORY

10. Treaty of Tolentino compels Vatican art transfers

    Feb 19, 1797Labels: Treaty of, Papal States

    • Britannica
    • Vatican Museums

11. British Museum Act vests Townley collection

    Jul 12, 1805Labels: Townley collection, British Museum

    • BM Act
    • Art Newspaper

12. Townley Gallery opens at the British Museum

    Jun 3, 1808Labels: Townley Gallery, British Museum

    • Charles Townley
    • Art Newspaper

13. Aegina pedimental sculptures shipped to northern Europe

    Jan 1, 1811Labels: Aphaia pediments, Aegina sculptures

    • Cambridge MCA
    • Britannica

14. Glyptothek construction begins for Ludwig’s antiquities collection

    Jan 1, 1816Labels: Glyptothek, Ludwig of

    • Britannica
    • Kunstareal

15. British government purchases Parthenon (Elgin) sculptures

    Jun 1, 1816Labels: Elgin Marbles, British government

    • BM Act 1816
    • British Museum

16. Glyptothek opens as Munich’s first public museum

    Jan 1, 1830Labels: Glyptothek, Munich public

    • Britannica
    • Kunstareal