This Valentine’s Day, my boyfriend planned a special date and surprised me with a trip to the Walters Art Museum! Despite his usual tendency to plan low-key outings, I was thrilled by the thoughtfulness of the adventure. With my camera in hand and my inner art critic fully activated, I hurriedly packed my bags to capture as many pictures as I could before someone noticed my awkward posing next to medieval cats.
Encompassing over 36,000 objects from around the world, the Walters Art Museum offers a comprehensive look at art history from antiquity to the modern age. Located in the Mount Vernon neighborhood, each exhibition was an exciting look at the diversity of art and culture across both time and continents.
One featured exhibition on Level 3 was the Medieval Gallery entitled “Paws on Parchment,” which showcased various medieval depictions of cats that were preserved in the pages of manuscripts from across the world, perfect for all cat lovers! Here, one “pawprint” manuscript — which consists of footprints from a cat walking across the pages of a 1470s Finnish manuscript as the ink dried — was displayed for the first time in the museum’s public galleries.
Currently, the museum is offering a look into an expensive collection of art from South America, Central America, North America and the Caribbean in an exhibit entitled “Latin American Art / Arte Latinoamericano.” This showcase is on display for the first time in the museum’s history and encompasses pieces from 40 cultures that span over four millennia.
Many pieces from this exhibition include examples of ancient ceramics, gold, paint, shell, textiles and more. Some key centerpieces featured include gold and jade ornaments from Colombia and Central America, as well as a large-scale Mexica (Aztec) statue of Macuilxochitl (the patron god of music, dance and gamblers). The intricacy and craftsmanship of these works demonstrate the ritual artistic significance imbued in everyday objects and ceremonial art.
One of my boyfriend’s favorite pieces was Othello, a 1833–1884 Italian marble and brown sculpture by Pietro Calvi. According to the plaque below the piece, the sculpture was most likely modeled on the actor Ira Aldridge, who was known for his portrayal of William Shakespeare’s Othello. The piece is meant to convey Othello’s deep emotion, illustrating his intense contemplation deep in thought as a tear falls from his left eye.
My personal favorite artwork was the Italian painting Judith with the Head of Holofernes by the Circle of Elisabetta Sirani and the Circle of Giovanni Andrea Sirani. According to the Book of Judith, Judith saved her people by using her courage and cunning to behead Holofernes, the Assyrian general who was threatening the Israelite city of Bethulia, ensuring her people’s freedom.
Depicting Judith in the moment after beheading Holofernes and her maid assisting her, the painting captures the dramatic tension of the scene. The dark colors shrouding Holofernes in darkness provide a sharp contrast to Judith’s lightness, her position fluid and her face lax as he hoists Holofernes’s head by his hair. Judith’s maid looks on solemnly, her posture reflecting apprehension. The sword Judith used appears in the foreground of the painting, emphasizing the decisive moment of triumph displayed in the piece.
Aside from the usual showcases, the Walters Art Museum also offers many special events, such as “Lunar New Year Celebration: Year of the Horse.” In addition, the Walters Art Museum’s Conservation and Technical Research department offers the “Conservation Window,” an opportunity to see conservators at work and to engage with current projects! Window sessions are currently offered on select Saturdays from 12:30 pm to 4 pm and on Fridays from 10 am to 1 pm.
This Valentine’s Day, I got fancy art lessons and a workout for my jaw from all the “wow” faces that I was making. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm with free admission, the museum is the perfect location for a spontaneous date or an afternoon of discovery!
