Virtually explore the MFA in Boston with Smarthistory as your guide
Some background
videos + essays
Link to the Museum of Fine Arts's website
![Beaded collar (<em>ingqosha</em>), Xhosa artist, South Africa](https://smarthistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/xhosa-grid-570x350.jpg)
Beaded collar (ingqosha), Xhosa artist, South Africa
A relatively humble example of Xhosa beadwork became a potent symbol of tradition as well as a statement of defiance in South Africa.
![<em>Ibadandun</em> woman’s wrapper, unrecorded Yoruba artist](https://smarthistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/adire-grid-570x350.jpg)
Ibadandun woman’s wrapper, unrecorded Yoruba artist
The art of adire is one of continual change and innovation adapting to shifting social and economic circumstances.
![The Dutch art market in the 17th century](https://smarthistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/52462032952_ff5af753d2_k-570x350.jpg)
The Dutch art market in the 17th century
More than 5 million artworks were produced in 17th-century Holland in the span of about 100 years
![Painting Brazil for the Dutch art market, Frans Post, <em>Landscape with Ruins in Olinda</em>](https://smarthistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Screen-Shot-2023-01-10-at-5.16.09-PM-570x350.png)
Painting Brazil for the Dutch art market, Frans Post, Landscape with Ruins in Olinda
Idealized depictions of sugar plantations and African laborers in Dutch-colonial Brazil were popular in the Dutch art market in the 17th century
![Model of the Dutch East India Company ship “Valkenisse”](https://smarthistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/52463559211_0ff1003d86_k-570x350.jpg)
Model of the Dutch East India Company ship “Valkenisse”
From Asia to the Netherlands, the Dutch East India Company dominated maritime trade in the 17th and 18th centuries.
![Michaelina Wautier, <em>The Five Senses</em>](https://smarthistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/52482741475_3d4e4531fd_k-570x350.jpg)
Michaelina Wautier, The Five Senses
This willfully forgotten Dutch artist explores how we experience the world around us during the time of the Scientific Revolution.
![Symbolism and meaning in Dutch still life painting](https://smarthistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/heda-still-life-thumb-570x350.jpg)
Symbolism and meaning in Dutch still life painting
This collection of objects speaks to the international mercantile culture and wealth of the Netherlands in the 17th century.
![Early Dutch Torah Finials](https://smarthistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/52463390930_43c94a2d32_k-570x350.jpg)
Early Dutch Torah Finials
One of the earliest of its type, these architectural finials would have decorated a Torah, the sacred text of Judaism, and feature dragon-like creatures and bells
![Rembrandt, <em>Abraham Francen</em>](https://smarthistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/52454330867_55be885b8c_k-570x350.jpg)
Rembrandt, Abraham Francen
This intimate portrait of Rembrandt's friend and his collection also hints at the city of Amsterdam's wealth and global connections at this time
![Osias Beert, <em>Still Life with Various Vessels on a Table</em>](https://smarthistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Screen-Shot-2022-06-06-at-10.24.04-AM-570x350.png)
Osias Beert, Still Life with Various Vessels on a Table
What lies behind this ornate display of pewter, oysters, blue-and-white porcelain, and sugary sweets?
![Peter Paul Rubens, <em>Mulay Ahmad</em>](https://smarthistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/SC248847-e1654499728508-570x350.jpg)
Peter Paul Rubens, Mulay Ahmad
Based on a print made a century earlier, this figure appeared again in a later Rubens painting as the artist attempted to create an authentic portrayal of an African king.