PHILOSOPHY OF THE EUROPEAN MILITARY

however,
dynamic

MUSEUM

is that the Imperial War Museum sees its role as a

one in an age where military power has a tremendous

impact upon national and international institutions.

The philosophy of Le Musee Royal de i'Armee et d'Histoire
Militaire in Brussels contrasts somewhat with that of the Imperial
War Museum, although the two museums display the same
general range of artifacts. The Brussels Museum appears to have
expended much effort assembling a great quantity of worthwhile

Belgian and foreign military objects. This museum stresses its

custodial function above all others, for it displays nearly all the
specimens in its collections. Although the museum has an excellent
library, it gives considerably less attention to original research
than does the Imperial War Museum. However, the impression
should not be gained that the Brussels Museum neglects the func
tion of educating the public about Belgian military history.
The exhibits in chronological halls are so crammed with objects
that the careful and tenacious viewer learns a great deal about
the subject whether or not he had that intention when he entered.
Museum in
The Army History (Heeresgeschichtliches)
Vienna appears to have a philosophy which lies somewhere be
tween that of the Imperial War Museum and the Army Museum
in Brussels. Its professional staff is composed of military historians
who also serve as part-time faculty members at the local university.

For this reason, the museum gives

treatment
originates

a strong academic emphasis to its

of military history, and much scholarly endeavor

at the museum, both through the personal initiative

of the staff and at the request of the university.

In

its custodial

function, the Vienna Museum concentrates upon the display of

significant artifacts in an artistic setting, thus assuring a strong
flavor of the fine arts in its exhibits. Because of this attention to
esthetic matters, the Heeresgeschichtliches Museum blends into
the pattern of general grandeur often associated with Viennese
This tends to increase its value as a source of enter

museums.

for the viewer. The museum's commemorative aspect is

very strongly emphasized in Vienna, and much attention is given
to the display in separate halls of objects connected with Prince
Eugen, Empress Maria Theresa, Archduke Charles, and the
famous Austrian Commander Radetzky. In this military museum

tainment