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May

This watercolor drawing of a seascape features abstracted strokes of color in shades of blue, green, yellow, red, pink, and gray, layered over a white background.

With flowers in bloom and warm sunshine returning, the Harvard Art Museums celebrate the opening of American Watercolors, 1880–1990: Into the Light on Saturday, May 20. Discover how American watercolorists from Winslow Homer to Hannah Wilke captured the imaginative and experimental capacity of the medium to create luminous, diverse works over more than a century.

P lan your next visit to take in the works in A World Within Reach: Greek and Roman Art from the Loeb Collection and Artisanal Modernism before they close on Sunday, May 7.

May is packed with plenty to do—from a gallery talk about the special paintings in residence, to an exhibition tour of From the Andes to the Caribbean: American Art from the Spanish Empire. Or you may just find yourself taking in a DJ set in the courtyard before wandering the galleries. Spring into your next art adventure here at the Harvard Art Museums!

This watercolor drawing depicts a bowl of fruit and a vase of daisies on a table covered with a tablecloth with abstract patterns.

EXHIBITION

Into the Light

Opening on May 20, American Watercolors, 1880–1990: Into the Light presents more than a hundred compelling and rarely seen watercolors by both well-known and historically underrepresented American artists selected from the Harvard Art Museums’ deep and diverse holdings. Join us for a gallery talk later this month to learn more about watercolor techniques or attend a lecture with one of the artists featured in this stunning exhibition.

A terracotta figurine depicting a seated young woman with a mirror on her lap.

EXHIBITIONS

Before They’re Gone

Be sure to get your last look at both A World Within Reach: Greek and Roman Art from the Loeb Collection and Artisanal Modernism before they close on Sunday, May 7. This week, on Thursday, May 4, stop in for a gallery talk with curators from A World Within Reach and delve into small-scale ancient Greek and Roman art.

LECTURE

Colors and Conversation

On Tuesday, May 23, come by to hear a conversation between curators and artist Richard Tuttle about American Watercolors, 1880–1990. Admission is free, but seating is limited and registration is required. You can register by clicking on the event on this form beginning Saturday, May 13, after 10am.

Two people talk in a gallery. In the background art is hanging on gallery walls.

FREE ADMISSION

International Museum Day

Explore the Harvard Art Museums for free on Thursday, May 18, in recognition of International Museum Day. What artwork will you fall in love with next?

In a storage room, two students examine paintings hung on rolling racks, while two other women sit at desks.

SEMINAR

The Women behind the Museums

What was it like for women who worked or studied at the museums in the 1930s? The 1970s? Archives staff will shed light on women's experiences in a seminar on Thursday, May 18. Free admission, but registration is required. Registration will open at 10am on Monday, May 8, 2023, at this link.

Side view of a sculpture of a brown horse wearing a beige blanket and saddle.

CREATURE FEATURE

Let’s Explore Sculpture!

Kids of all ages will enjoy exploring the colors, shapes, and lines of animal sculptures in this family-friendly gallery talk on Saturday, May 13. Remember that youth under 18 can get into the Harvard Art Museums for free any time. Be sure to check out our other free admission opportunities as well!

A black and white photograph shows four soldiers in dark uniforms standing, facing two other men also in uniforms; all are white except for the Black soldier on the right. A flag is visible in the background.

INDEX

American Soldier Photography

In the latest Index article, curatorial fellow Jackson Davidow brings into focus the complex issues of identity, power, and belonging in American vernacular soldier photography. Interested in the history of collecting photography at Harvard? Davidow will offer an online talk on the topic on Tuesday, May 16.

In the corner of a gallery, two people stand near a painting; one of them points toward it.

AT NIGHT

May At Night

On Thursday, May 25, enjoy a free evening of art, fun, food, and more during Commencement week at Harvard! Explore the exhibitions From the Andes to the Caribbean: American Art from the Spanish Empire and American Watercolors, 1880–1990: Into the Light on Level 3, and grab a drink in the courtyard from Lamplight Brewing Co. with friends. We can’t wait to see you there!

Index

Events

Images: Header and Colors and Conversation: John Marin, American, Seascape, 1914. Watercolor over graphite on heavy white wove paper; some color applied and worked with a tool and fingers. Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, Gift of James N. Rosenberg, 1950.48. © Estate of John Marin/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. Before They’re Gone: Woman with mirror, Greek, Boeotia (modern Greece), late 4th century CE. Terracotta with traces of pigment. Staatliche Antikensammlungen und Glyptothek München, SL 294, TL42482.42. Photo: © Staatliche Antikensammlungen und Glyptothek. International Museum Day and May At Night: Photos: Caitlin Cunningham Photography.

Loans and exhibition coordination for From the Andes to the Caribbean: American Art from the Spanish Empire courtesy of the Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation. Support for the exhibition is provided by the Henry Luce Foundation Fund for the American Art Department; the Bolton Fund for American Art, Gift of the Payne Fund; the Alexander S., Robert L., and Bruce A. Beal Exhibition Fund; and the Gurel Student Exhibition Fund. Related programming is supported by the M. Victor Leventritt Lecture Series Endowment Fund.

Support for A World Within Reach: Greek and Roman Art from the Loeb Collection is provided by the Kelekian Fund.

Support for American Watercolors, 1880–1990: Into the Light is provided by the Alexander S., Robert L., and Bruce A. Beal Exhibition Fund, the William Amory Fund, the Rabb Family Exhibitions Fund, and an anonymous donor. Related programming is supported by the M. Victor Leventritt Lecture Series Endowment Fund. The accompanying catalogue was made possible by the Andrew W. Mellon Publication Funds and the Wyeth Foundation for American Art.