Virtually explore the Brooklyn Museum with Smarthistory as your guide
Some background
videos + essays
Link to the Brooklyn Museum's website
Elephant Mask (Bamileke Peoples)
Members of the Kuosi society express the authority, affluence, and strength of the ruler through masquerade.
Francisco Oller, Hacienda La Fortuna
Oller's Hacienda La Fortuna was painted as Puerto Rico experienced an intense transition at the end of the Spanish-American war.
Screen with the Siege of Belgrade and Hunting Scene (or Brooklyn Biombo)
Japanese objects came through Mexico on their way to Spain, and had a lasting impact on the arts of the Americas.
Magdalene Anyango N. Odundo, Symmetrical Reduced Black Narrow-Necked Tall Piece
Odundo's pottery draws on traditions from around the world and reveals the relationship of clay to the body
Yorùbá artist, pair of twin figures (Ère Ìbejì)
Twin figures known as Ère Ìbejì reveal how a Yorùbá mother navigates the loss of twins
A Jain pilgrimage map of Shatrunjaya
Cloth paintings (patas) mapped the topography of sacred Jain pilgrimage sites (tirthas)
Hiram Powers, The Greek Slave
Though at first glance this nude seems plucked from classical antiquity, it actually alludes to modern politics.
Our Lady of Cocharcas and the Cuzco School of Painting
Cuzco School paintings came into such high demand that they were exported to patrons residing in far-flung cities located in present-day Chile and Argentina, and even Italy.
Judy Chicago, The Dinner Party
Judy Chicago's landmark installation gives notable women from history a seat at the table.
Dado Panel, Courtyard of the Royal Palace of Mas’ud III
Once painted and gilded, this panel was part of a larger frieze bearing commemorative Kufic inscriptions.
