It’s only been an hour but you’re tired. The Metropolitan Museum of Art has somehow become humdrum: Your neck hurts from craning to see beyond the crowds and, despite the famous objects on show, you’re struggling to maintain a sense of wonder. If this sounds familiar, then you’ve likely experienced museum fatigue. The term was coined by Benjamin Ives Gilman, the secretary of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, in The Scientific Monthly in 1916. Gilman blamed museum fatigue on the physical demands of inspecting artworks—peering into vitrines, reading the accompanying labels and walking between galleries. In 1985, a study in Florida showed that visitor interest peaked after around half an hour, and extensive research by museum exhibition consultant Beverly Serrell This story is from Kinfolk Issue Fifty Buy Now Related Stories Arts & Culture City Guide Korea Furniture Museum A private furniture museum in the northern quarters of Seoul. Arts & Culture City Guide Thorvaldsens Museum A brightly-hued homage to Copenhagen’s most celebrated sculptor. Arts & Culture City Guide Louisiana Museum of Modern Art A waterside museum of modern art to the north of Copenhagen. Arts & Culture Issue 27 Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian In Tehran, Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian reigns as the doyenne of contemporary Iranian art. Arts & Culture Issue 51 Emily Gernild The Danish painter breathing new life into an old medium. Arts & Culture Food Issue 51 Imogen Kwok The artist takes food styling quite literally, creating accessories out of fruits and vegetables.
Arts & Culture City Guide Korea Furniture Museum A private furniture museum in the northern quarters of Seoul.
Arts & Culture City Guide Thorvaldsens Museum A brightly-hued homage to Copenhagen’s most celebrated sculptor.
Arts & Culture City Guide Louisiana Museum of Modern Art A waterside museum of modern art to the north of Copenhagen.
Arts & Culture Issue 27 Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian In Tehran, Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian reigns as the doyenne of contemporary Iranian art.
Arts & Culture Food Issue 51 Imogen Kwok The artist takes food styling quite literally, creating accessories out of fruits and vegetables.
