May
A photograph of the side of a building at night. The right side of the building is gray with a sculptural modern design, while the left side of the building has a brick facade. There is a snow-covered lawn in the foreground.

This month there are many online events for you to enjoy from home. The Art Study Center Seminar in mid-May explores how Civil War–era photographers constructed landscapes of slavery, delving into histories and interpretations at work in their images.

All events are free and open to everyone. We look forward to seeing you online!
A silver stirrup cup in the shape of a fox head. Its eyes are wide open and its ears perked up.

CREATURE FEATURE

What Does the Fox Say?

On Saturday, May 1, discover a fantastic silver cup in the shape of a fox head and find out how our team made it “float” while on display.
This photograph shows six vertical rectangular panels hinged together against a gray background. Each panel features a vertical rectangular painting showing different birds, flowers, and landscape elements placed on a gold background.

ART TALK LIVE

Reframing Japonisme

On Tuesday, May 4, join curator Rachel Saunders for a close look at a major new acquisition that challenges assumptions about “Japanese art.”
A woman on a ladder, wearing gloves, reaches out to touch a statue. There’s a green overlay on the image with white text. The text reads “Episode 005 Exhibition Production Manager, A Closer Look.”

In this episode of A Closer Look, meet Karen Gausch, manager of exhibition production and collections care at the museums.
A photograph of the side of a building at night. The right side of the building is gray with a sculptural modern design, while the left side of the building has a brick facade. There is a snow-covered lawn in the foreground.

On Wednesday, May 5, Charles Saumarez Smith will discuss how the idea of the art museum has evolved over the last century.
A woman gestures toward photographs displayed on a long table, with four people listening in the foreground.

On Friday, May 14, curator Makeda Best will examine how Civil War–era photographers such as Alexander Gardner constructed landscapes that illustrated the system of chattel slavery.
This circular sandstone relief, placed on a wooden surface, depicts a flying figure with trailing robes and scarves holding a bowl in its right hand. It is flying toward the left and looking back over its right shoulder.

ART TALK LIVE/REFRAME

Cave Temple Fragments

On Tuesday, May 18, investigate fragments from China’s Tianlongshan cave temples and new efforts to uncover their recent history and original context.
This composite image of three photographs shows different views of a living magnolia plant, with white petals, bright green leaves, and a magenta pink center.

SPECIAL EVENT

Planting Edo

Take a walk in the Arnold Arboretum and use this field guide to connect works from the Painting Edo exhibition with their living counterparts!
A black and white painting depicts vines and flowers

On Tuesday, May 25, plunge into an intricate web of tangled ink lines and emerge in a moonlit pond, as Yurika Wakamatsu examines Lotus in Autumn by Okuhara Seiko.
This photograph of the interior of the Harvard Art Museums shows one level of arcades and an upper level of glass-lined corridors. Lights hang from a glass roof.

SURVEY

Your Choice

Which works of art in our collections inspire or excite you? Which do you want to learn more about? Take this survey and let us know!
A woman presses her cheek against the long blade of a scythe as she works to sharpen it with her riddled hands.

ART TALK LIVE/REFRAME

Käthe Kollwitz

Mark your calendar for Tuesday, June 1 to explore Käthe Kollwitz’s prints and their influence on South Africa’s young modernists.

Index 

Online Events


Image (header): © David Heald.






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Harvard Art Museums · 32 Quincy Street · Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138 · USA