Virtually explore the Brooklyn Museum with Smarthistory as your guide
Some background
videos + essays
Link to the Brooklyn Museum's website
![Theaster Gates, <em>In Case of Race Riot II</em>](https://smarthistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/GatesRiotThumb.jpg)
Theaster Gates, In Case of Race Riot II
Drawing on Minimalist forms, Gates provokes active reflection on the social lives of the objects he employs.
![Elephant Mask (Bamileke Peoples)](https://smarthistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/BamilekeMaskThumb-570x350.jpg)
Elephant Mask (Bamileke Peoples)
Members of the Kuosi society express the authority, affluence, and strength of the ruler through masquerade.
![Francisco Oller, <em>Hacienda La Fortuna</em>](https://smarthistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Oller-Fortunda-grid-570x350.jpg)
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.
![<em>Screen with the Siege of Belgrade and Hunting Scene</em> (or <em>Brooklyn Biombo</em>)](https://smarthistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/biombo-570x350.jpg)
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](https://smarthistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Odundo-grid-bigger-570x350.jpg)
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)](https://smarthistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/grid-570x350.jpg)
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](https://smarthistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/jain3-570x350.jpg)
A Jain pilgrimage map of Shatrunjaya
Cloth paintings (patas) mapped the topography of sacred Jain pilgrimage sites (tirthas)
![Hiram Powers, <em>The Greek Slave</em>](https://smarthistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/The_Greek_Slave_by_Hiram_Powers_at_Yale_crop-570x350.jpg)
Hiram Powers, The Greek Slave
Though at first glance this nude seems plucked from classical antiquity, it actually alludes to modern politics.
![<em>Our Lady of Cocharcas </em> and the Cuzco School of Painting](https://smarthistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/cocharcas-whole-thumb-570x350.jpg)
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, <em>The Dinner Party</em>](https://smarthistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/16111397915_dfee29fd70_o-EDITED-570x350.jpg)
Judy Chicago, The Dinner Party
Judy Chicago's landmark installation gives notable women from history a seat at the table.