The emperor Titus sacked the temple in Jerusalem and looted its most holy treasures.
A-Level: Identity – ethnic identity
A beautiful sunset, but look closer. One of humanity’s most hideous acts—seen in the waves of the indifferent sea.
J. M. W. Turner, Slave Ship
Basquiat appropriated wildly—and creatively—from Old Masters, Picasso, anatomical textbooks, and even jazz.
Jean-Michel Basquiat, Horn Players
The artist transforms metal from alcohol bottles into textiles that represent libations for ancestors.
El Anatsui, Untitled
Lawrence carefully documents the migration of African Americans from the agricultural South to the industrial North.
Jacob Lawrence, The Migration Series
This Cuban artist united European Surrealism with Afro-Caribbean culture.
Wifredo Lam, The Jungle
Rivera includes 400 years of history here, and guarantees that the stories normally edited out are included.
Diego Rivera, Dream of a Sunday Afternoon ...
In her double self-portrait, Kahlo wears both European garb and the indigenous clothing she grew to prefer.
Frida Kahlo, The Two Fridas (Las dos ...
Textile or sculpture? El Anatsui purposely disregards the limiting categories imposed by Western art history.
El Anatsui, Old Man’s Cloth
This British-born Nigerian artist brings a Rococo painting into three dimensions, changing some critical details.
Yinka Shonibare, The Swing (After Fragonard)
Why did the mayor of New York City threaten to close the museum exhibiting Ofili’s painting of the Virgin Mary?
Chris Ofili, The Holy Virgin Mary
In this canvas, Kiefer transformed architecture meant to honor Nazi heros into a memorial for their victims.
Anselm Kiefer, Shulamite
Torres-García upended traditional hierarchical structures by defining the art of South America on its own terms.
Joaquín Torres-García, Inverted America
Osorio’s art explores the experience of being Latin American in New York City.
Pepón Osorio, En la barberia no se ...
Smith created this in 1992, responding to the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ arrival in North America.
Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, Trade (Gifts for Trading ...
Walker’s installation builds a world that unleashes horrors even as it seduces viewers.
Kara Walker, Darkytown Rebellion
Johnson’s moving painting of a family fleeing slavery places the courage of African-Americans center stage.
Eastman Johnson, A Ride for Liberty — ...
This dignified portrait of a Native leader belies the cruel treatment he endured at the time of its painting.
George Catlin, The White Cloud, Head Chief ...
Genealogical Inka portraits like these were banned by the Spanish who feared they would inspire uprisings.
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