The project “Baron Trenck: The New Face of a Legend”, in which our Institute of Anthropology participated with the Brno City Museum, has won the Gloria Musaealis Special award for the ‘Museum Enterprise’ of 2019’ in the 18th National Museums Competition.
The military commander František Trenck is a well-known European historical figure, recognised by both the professional community and the general public. Due to his participation in a number of famous battles in different countries in the 18th century, and the subsequent popularisation of his deeds, a number of localities in both the Czech Republic and abroad are connected with his legacy.
Baron Trenck is, of course, inextricably linked with the history of the city of Brno. He spent the last year of his life here, before passing away in Špilberk fortress, and is interred in the catacombs of the local Capuchin monastery. Between 2017 and 2019, a new project, “Anthropological, forensic and historical research of the mummy of Baron Trenck”, was implemented under the guarantee of the Brno City Museum. Several of Masaryk University’s scientific departments took part in the project, which was made possible thanks to support from the Capuchin Province in the Czech Republic.
The project was unique in that an interdisciplinary team of top scientists was created who, in coordination with the regional museum, used state-of-the-art technology to analyse the remains of an historical figure. For the first time, Czech researchers analysed an historical figure utilising contemporary historiography, forensic and anthropological sciences, with the outputs of the project depicted using the latest digital technologies, such as 3D printing, animation and virtual reality. Using these methods, it was possible to answer a number of questions about the life of Baron Trenck, to construct an accurate mannequin of the figure and face of this famous Pandur (light infantry) soldier, and even allow this figure to move virtually.
The National Museums Competition of Gloria Musaealis aims to draw the attention of the general public to the best efforts of museums and/or individual museum staff in presenting exhibits or creating new exhibitions, presenting collections in professional publications or saving and making accessible objects or sites from our cultural and natural heritage.
The 18th National Museums Competition of Gloria Musaealis, which was jointly announced by the Ministry of Culture, the Association of Museums and Galleries of the Czech Republic z.s. and the Czech Committee of ICOM z.s., took place from January 1, 2019, to February 28, 2020. A total of 87 projects were submitted by 60 museums and galleries from around the Czech Republic, with most entries being for the category ‘Museum Exhibition of 2019 (40 projects). This was followed by the categories ‘Museum Publication of 2019’ (30 projects) and the ‘Museum Enterprise’ of 2019’ (17 projects).
Detailed information on all competition projects is available at www.gloriamusaealis.cz.
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With great sadness, we share the news that Professor Vladimír Šimek from the Institute of Experimental Biology at SCI MUNI has passed away. The farewell ceremony for the deceased will take place on Friday, December 20, 2024, at 10:15 AM in the large ceremonial hall of the Brno crematorium.
