Collections
The Bamum Kingdom, Colonialism, and German Expressionist Karl Schmidt-Rottluff
German expressionist Karl Schmidt-Rottluff included a clay pipe bowl (Ki-kuet pue) from the Bamum Kingdom (modern-day Republic of Cameroon) in his painting. How did this object become part of his private collection?
By Clemens Ottenhausen
A Painted ❤️ in Ancient Rome? A Brief Artistic History of the Heart Symbol
Why is there a ❤️ on an ancient Roman wall painting fragment? Former graduate student intern Vivian Jin takes a deeper look at a series of objects at the museums that trace the symbolic evolution of the heart symbol.
By Vivian Jin
Visitor Guide
Welcome to the Harvard Art Museums! We are three museums—the Fogg, Busch-Reisinger, and Arthur M. Sackler—all in one building. Have fun exploring our galleries; just ask any staff member for help finding your way.
Objects of Addiction: Opium, Empire, and the Chinese Art Trade
Objects of Addiction explores the entwined histories of the opium trade and the Chinese art market between the late 18th and early 20th centuries.
Investigating the Materials of a Chinese Opium Pipe
Questions about the materials of the opium pipe on view in Objects of Addiction led to a collaborative investigation by curatorial, objects conservation, and conservation science staff.
By Nicole Ledoux
40 Works for 40 Years: Celebrating the German Friends of the Busch-Reisinger Museum
We are delighted to present a selection of 40 works from the Busch-Reisinger Museum’s collection that reflect 40 years of meaningful, generous support.
Reconstructing the Staff of Nydia, the Blind Flower Girl of Pompeii
Objects conservation fellow Adrienne Gendron shares the story of Nydia, a sculpture representing a heroine from a 19th-century novel, and the thoughtful considerations behind her conservation approach.
By Adrienne Gendron
Voices from the Collections: Photographer Guanyu Xu in Conversation with Curatorial Fellow Jackson Davidow
Curatorial fellow Jackson Davidow recently talked with photographer Guanyu Xu about his work Worlds Within Worlds, which has just been acquired by the Harvard Art Museums, as well as his artistic process.
By Jackson Davidow
Seeking Divine Answers in Ancient Christian Egypt
An ancient Egyptian manuscript at the Harvard Art Museums reveals how early Christian pilgrims received not-so-random answers from God.
By Chance Bonar