Art

Unless noted, all programs are presented on Zoom; listed times are Eastern Time. Online registration is required.

SmithsonianAssociates.org/artcertificateArt-full Fridays | Live from Italy, with Elaine Ruffolo

World Art History Certificate electives: Earn ½ credit each

For centuries, the city of Florence nurtured an unceasing succession of great artists. No other place can rival it for the quantity of first-rate, locally created works of art.

You might wonder, which of the hundreds and hundreds of Renaissance masterpieces in Florence are considered the most significant? Join Renaissance art historian Elaine Ruffolo for an in-depth look at three paintings and learn why she considers them the most important in the city. Can you guess which? Fri., Feb. 3, 12–1:15 p.m.; CODE 1H0-757; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Gallery of the Academy of Florence

Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo

An Architectural Tour of Medieval Florence

The architecture of medieval Florence was characterized by soaring towers, massive fortress-like palaces, and breathtakingly beautiful basilicas. During the period of communal self-government in the 13th and 14th centuries, public buildings such as the Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo (now known as the Bargello) and the Palazzo dei Priori (today’s Palazzo Vecchio) set an important precedent for the palace builders of wealthy patrician families during the Renaissance.

Join art historian Elaine Ruffolo as she traces how the built environment of Florence clearly reflects the historical development of the city at the dawn of the Renaissance. Fri., March 31, 12–1:15 p.m.; CODE 1D0-009; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

An Unrivaled Collection

Located in the heart of Florence, the Uffizi Gallery has long been regarded as one of the most important museum collections in the world. Not only was it one of the first in Europe to emerge in accordance with the modern idea of a museum, but it is also unsurpassed in the quality of works it contains, boasting some of the greatest masterpieces of the Florentine Renaissance.

Join art historian Elaine Ruffolo as she discusses the history and aspects of the gallery—including the patronage of the Medici The Uffizi Galleryfamily, the innovative architecture of Vasari, and, of course, an in-depth examination of the best of the remarkable painting collection. Fri., April 14 and 28, 12–1:15 p.m.; CODE 1D0-010; Members $35; Nonmembers $40

Art is all around us. It excites us, enriches our lives, and enlivens our imaginations. But to truly appreciate any work of art, we need to understand the context and culture in which it was produced. That’s why Smithsonian Associates offers an exciting certificate program in World Art History.

The wide-ranging offerings are designed to provide a global perspective on art and architecture and draw on the Smithsonian’s world-class collections and the rich resources of other Washington institutions.

The core courses and electives in our program are selected from among Smithsonian Associates’ ongoing courses, seminars, study tours, and Studio Arts classes. Look for “World Art History Certificate” throughout the program guide to see current listings.

Complete the program requirements at your own pace. Credits are counted from the day of program registration and are not given retroactively.

Register now and receive invitations for special tours and informal gatherings with course leaders and other program participants.

To learn more about the Smithsonian Associates certificate program in World Art History, visit SmithsonianAssociates.org/ArtCertificate

Left column, from the top: Fresco of the Libyan Sibyl, ca. 1511, Sistine Chapel, by Michelangelo; Taj Mahal, completed 1643, Agra, India; The Young Ladies of Avignon, 1907, by Pablo Picasso; Equestrian ceramic figure, ca. 13th–15th centuries, Mali*; Second column: Lou Ruvo Brain Institute, 2010, by Frank Gehry, Las Vegas; The Calf-Bearer, ca. 570 B.C.; Athens, Greece; Frida Kahlo by Magda Pach, 1933*; Before the Ballet, ca. 1892, Edgar Degas *from Smithsonian museum collections

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

SMITHSONIAN AMERICAN ART MUSEUM Winslow Homer

Capturing an America in Transformation

Painter Winslow Homer (1836–1910) was raised in the years before the Civil War and came of age in a nation in crisis. Like Twain and Whitman, he captured the A Visit from the Old Mistress by landscape of a rapidly Winslow Homer, 1876 changing country.

Author William R. Cross examines Homer’s role in American culture as a witness to the times in which he lived and the challenge of achieving a just and equitable society.

Cross’s biography Winslow Homer: American Passage (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) is available for purchase and signing. Wed., Feb. 22, 6:45 p.m.; McEvoy Auditorium, Smithsonian American Art Museum; CODE 1L0-503; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit Marisol: A Pop Art Superstar

She was glamorous, sophisticated, and wickedly funny. Marisol Escobar, known simply as “Marisol” (1930–2016), survived a traumatic childhood to become a successful female Pop artist and darling of 1960s New York’s avant-garde. Her life-sized, carved and painted wood portraits of world leaders, Hollywood celebrities, and herself combine brilliant draftsmanship with a keen sense of color and texture.

Art historian Nancy G. Heller examines Marisol’s major works to define her place within the broader context of Pop Art and 1960s American society. Thurs., Feb. 9, 12–1:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-242; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Marisol Escobar World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit War and Pieces

The Met Cloisters and the Lens of History

At the 1938 public opening of The Met Cloisters—the branch of the Metropolitan Museum devoted to the art of medieval Europe—not a word was spoken about the threat of war looming over the continent. Yet, ironically, The Met Cloisters’ very foundations stand in witness to the devastating impact of centuries of war and revolution on artistic heritage. Barbara Drake Boehm, Met Cloisters curator emerita, considers some of its artworks against the backdrop of history, with special attention both to the dangers that beset them and the circumstances that preserved them. Fri., Feb. 10, 12–1:30 p.m.; CODE 1NV-014; Members $25; The Gothic Chapel Nonmembers $30

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1 credit The Regency World of Jane Austen

Art, Architecture, Culture

Emma Woodhouse, Elizabeth Bennet, Anne Elliot, and the Dashwood sisters may be fictional heroines, but their creator Jane Austen set their adventures in romance against the very real social and historical backdrop of Regency England.

Art historian Bonita Billman brings the era to life during a delightful day of cultural time travelling. She surveys Regency manners and fashions, the personalities who dominated the public imagination, and the stylish spa town of Bath, where many of Austen’s characters made appearances. Her discussions of customs and manners, interior decoration and fashion, and social life and everyday life provide a cultural context for those characters. 9:30 a.m. The Period’s Personalities 11 a.m. Regency Portraiture 12:15 p.m. Break 1:15 p.m. Late-Georgian Architecture 2:45 p.m. The Fabric of Regency Life

Sat., Feb. 11, 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m.; CODE 1M2-239; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

Drawing of Jane Austen by her sister Cassandra, 1810

Lesser-Known Museums of Rome

World Art History Certificate electives: Earn ½ credit each

In this new quarterly series, Renaissance art expert Rocky Ruggiero spotlights the significant collections of Rome’s sometimes-overlooked museums.

Many of Rome’s lesser-known museums contain some of the world’s most important Greco-Roman art. From the Equestrian Monument of Marcus Aurelius in the Capitoline Museums to Emperor Augustus’ giant Ara Pacis (“Altar of Peace”) in the museum that takes its name from the work, to the most significant collection of Etruscan art in the world at the Villa Giulia, Ruggiero, Renaissance art expert, explores the ancient art collections of Rome’s most important museums of antiquities. Mon., Feb. 13, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1J0-233; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

The façade of the Ara Pacis Augustae

A number of Rome’s greatest art treasures are displayed in the private collections of historically influential Roman families. Not surprisingly, some of these families produced popes such as Innocent X (Pamphilj), Urban VIII (Barberini), and Martin V (Colonna). Fortunately, a number of these art collections are now museums open to the public.

Renaissance art expert Ruggiero explores four of these private collections—the Doria Pamphilj Gallery, the Barberini Palace Museum, the Villa Farnesina, and the Colonna Palace—and explains how the artworks they held helped shape the Italian Renaissance. Mon., May 1, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1J0-258; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

Palazzo Colonna

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1 credit Cultural Heritage Sites of India

From India’s elaborately decorated Ajanta Caves to the splendor of the Taj Mahal, UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites offers a spectacular window into South Asia’s past. Art historian Robert DeCaroli highlights historic palaces, grand temples, royal mausoleums, and more that showcase how India’s rich religious traditions have inspired the creation of many of the subcontinent’s abundant historically and culturally significant destinations. 9:30 a.m. Rock-cut Wonders 11 a.m. Sacred Sites (Part 1) 12:30 p.m. Break 1:30 p.m. Sacred Sites (Part 2) 2:45 p.m. Seats of Power Sat., April 22, 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m.; CODE 1J0-252; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

The Fashion Museum, Bath

Julia Brennan and master batik makers review a historic batik reproduction owned by the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta.

Decorative Arts Design Series

Join curator Elizabeth Lay, a regular lecturer on the topics of fashion, textiles, and American furniture, for image-rich lectures focusing on decorative arts and design topics.

England’s Fashion Museum Bath holds one of the world’s great collections of historical and contemporary fashionable dress. In a special transatlantic conversation, Lay speaks with Rosemary Harden, senior curator and Fashion Museum manager, about the museum’s world-famous collections.

Throughout history, beds conveyed wealth and status and, for many, were the most expensive object in the home. Textile historian Natalie F. Larson looks at the variety of sleeping arrangements from slave dwellings and Indigenous populations to the homes of middle-class and upwardly aspiring Virginians.

Finally, learn how textile conservation is a form of cultural diplomacy, cultivating and honoring people and heritage. Textile conservator Julia M. Brennan describes how she has worked to build cultural bridges by engaging in both high-profile and grassroots projects to help set up conservation labs, train local specialists, and preserve local and regional textile heritage. FEB 13 The Glorious Collection of the Fashion Museum Bath FEB 27 Sleeping Around Virginia MAR 13 Textile Diplomacy 3 sessions: Mon., Feb. 13, 27, and March 13, 12–1 p.m.; CODE 1K0-339; Members $45; Nonmembers $55 Individual sessions: Mon., Feb. 13 (CODE 1K0-340); Mon., Feb. 27 (CODE 1K0-341); Mon., March 13 (CODE 1K0-342); 12–1 p.m.; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

SMITHSONIAN AMERICAN ART MUSEUM World Art History Certificate core course: Earn 1 credit Understanding Contemporary Art

From Pop to Pluralism

Avant-garde American art of the 1960s was dominated by two contradictory impulses. On one side, a group of young artists returned to representational art, but with a cool and decidedly modern Miss Lillian, 1977, by twist known as Pop. At the same time, Andy Warhol the so-called minimalists created a new kind of abstraction, paring down their works to just a few carefully considered colors and forms.

Then, beginning in the 1970s, artists explored an enormous range of new materials, techniques, and styles. That pluralistic experimentation encompassed forms from conceptual and superrealist art to environmental and performance art, all of which still resonate today.

Art historian Nancy G. Heller looks at the roots and later influences of radical American art from the last five decades.

GEORGES JANSOONE

Jeff Koons’ sculpture Puppy in front of the Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao, Spain FEB 28 Soup Cans and Comic Strips: The Revolutions of Pop Art and Minimalism MAR 7 Introduction to Pluralism: The Extremes MAR 14 Taking Art Out of the Gallery and Museum MAR 21 Feminist Art and the Influence of Identity Politics MAR 28 Erasing Boundaries: Redefining Art 5 sessions: Tues., Feb. 28– March 28, 12–1:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-244; Members $85; Nonmembers $95

All Smithsonian Associates online programs are closed captioned

Clock detail of Torre dell'Orologio, Venice World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit Astrology in Renaissance Art

Representation and Meaning

The study and practice of astrology re-entered Western Europe in the early 12th century, primarily via

Spain, where Arabic and Jewish scholars had preserved ancient astrology. Controversies over the Arabic theory of planetary conjunctions, especially that of 1484, which predicted the end of the Christian religion, helped to drive European developments in the practice of astrology and its representation in art. Art historian Claudia Rousseau explains what astrology actually is, how it works, and its mathematical basis, as well as how it was represented in art in the Renaissance era. Thurs., Feb. 9, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-232; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit Wildfire: The Life and Works of Edmonia Lewis

Edmonia Lewis, born free in upstate New York in 1844, was an American sculptor of Native American (Mississauga Ojibwe) and African-American heritage. Also known by her Ojibwe name, “Wildfire”, she spent most of her life in Rome working with a group of expatriate female Neoclassical artists. Her marble sculptures attracted prominent European patrons.

Art historian Nancy G. Heller discusses the renewed interest in her work and her place in art history. Thurs., Feb. 23, 12–1:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-243; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Edmonia Lewis by Henry Rocher

Women in the Fields by PierreAuguste Renoir, 1919 World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit (for each program session) Masterworks by Renoir, Cézanne, and Matisse at the Barnes Foundation

Drawing on what is considered one of the greatest postImpressionist and early modern art collections in the world, Barnes Foundation educator Penny Hansen guides live virtual tours through the galleries, examining in depth the paintings of three revolutionary artists. Using high-definition Deep Zoom technology developed by the Barnes, Hansen provides astonishingly close-up views of the canvases, revealing their paint surface, brushstrokes, and details in ways that bring the art and the artist vividly to life. All programs provide the chance to interact with Hansen in a Q&A session. MAR 9 Matisse MAR 16 Renoir MAR 23 Cézanne

Nature morte au crâne, by Paul Cézanne, 1896-98

Le bonheur de vivre (detail), by Henri Matisse, 1906 3 sessions: Thurs., March 9, 16, and 23, 12–1:30 p.m.; CODE 1NV-BAR; Members $75; Nonmembers $90 Individual sessions: Thurs., March 9 (CODE 1NV-022); Thurs., March 16 (CODE 1NV023); Thurs., March 23 (CODE 1NV-024); 12–1:30 p.m.; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

FREER GALLERY OF ART / CHARLES LANG FREER ENDOWMENT The Tale of Shuten Doji, Edo period World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit The Tale of Shuten Doji

The 14th-century Japanese legend about warrior Raik’s conquest of a terrifying, flesh-eating ogre is recounted in The Tale of Shuten Doji. During the Edo period (ca. 1600–1868) the story’s popularity inspired many painted scrolls, folding screens, wood-block prints, and other media.

The tale may appear to be a typical retelling of warrior heroes battling savage demons, but a closer look reveals a more complex picture of socially marginalized groups and notions of otherness. Art historian Yui Suzuki focuses on illustrations that convey the story’s conventional and cryptic meanings. Tues., March 14, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-246; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

World Art History Certificate core course: Earn 1 credit The History of Western Architecture

Tracing the history of Western architecture is like looking back at a long trail of footprints in the sand. Each step marks a particular moment of the journey, just as architectural movements and styles mark distinct moments in Western history. By examining four distinct historical periods in Western architecture, art historian Rocky Ruggiero traces the development of architectural styles, traditions, trends, and forms beginning in the ancient world and continuing through to the present day. MAR 21 The Ancient World MAR 28 The Medieval World APR 4 The Early Modern and Baroque Worlds Athenian Treasury at ancient Delphi APR 11 The Modern World 4 sessions: Tues., March 21–April 11, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-248; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

La Salve Bridge over the Nervion River, Bilbao, Spain

The Blue Boy by Thomas Gainsborough, 1770

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit Thomas Gainsborough: Beyond the Blue Boy

British artist Thomas Gainsborough (1727–1788) was widely known and admired for his fluid handling of paint in his portraits and landscapes. He and rival Joshua Reynolds dominated portrait painting in the 1770s and 1780s.

The largely self-taught, witty, convivial Gainsborough’s patrons included musicians, actresses, artists, the aristocracy, and members of the royal family. He became famous in the United States when one of the Gilded Age’s notoriously wealthy robber barons purchased the iconic Blue Boy (1770).

Art historian Bonita Billman examines Gainsborough’s career and his influence on painting. Thurs., March 23, 12–1:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-252; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

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World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1 credit Ancient Egypt Through its Art and Architecture

The secret to understanding the daily life and culture of ancient Egypt under its great rulers and pharaohs is right before our eyes—in its art and architecture. Examinations of these vast treasures reveal how they influenced Egyptian The Great Sphinx monument (1397– cultural identity and how 1388 B.C.) and a pyramid at Giza religion shaped artistic production.

Using evidence from the most recent archaeological discoveries, Egypt specialist Jacquelyn Williamson surveys the social and historical realities of this civilization from its early pyramids through its art created under King Akhenaten, who upended centuries of tradition to create new artistic conventions. 9:30 a.m. Understanding Egyptian Art: The Origins of an Artistic Tradition 11 a.m. Wonder and Majesty: The Art of the 4th Dynasty 12:15 p.m. Break 1:15 p.m. The Elegance of Discord and the Beauty of Empire 2:45 p.m. The Art of Heresy: Akhenaten and Nefertiti

Sat., March 11, 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m.; CODE 1M2240; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

Egyptian goddess Maat, 664–332 B.C.

WALTERS ART GALLERY

Almond Blossom by Vincent van Gogh, 1890

A Reflective Writing Workshop

Discover the power of reflective writing guided by the founding instructor of the National Gallery of Art’s popular Writing Salon, Mary Hall Surface. Inspired by works of art by Vincent van Gogh and poetry by Mary Oliver, explore the lessons that the season of spring offers us when we slow down, look closely, and reflect.

Designed for writers of all levels, the workshop invites you to look outward at paintings and poetry and to look inward through writing. These reflections can become creative fertile ground for memoir, poetry, and more. The workshop has a limited enrollment to maximize interaction among the instructor and students. Tues., April 4, 10 a.m.; CODE 1K0-356; Members $40; Nonmembers $45

Lucrezia de' Medici by Bronzino or Alessandro Allori, ca. 1560

The Frick Collection Petronella Oortman's doll house at the Rijksmuseum World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1 credit Art and Fiction

A picture is not only worth a thousand words: It can sometimes inspire a whole invented world. Independent art historian Heidi Applegate explores the art and artists behind three works of historical fiction. Gain new perspectives on Renaissance portraiture; Dutch still lifes, genre painting, and a cabinet house; and the Frick Collection in New York City by delving into the novels, followed by Applegate’s examination of the factual background along with the fiction. APR 7 Maggie O’Farrell, The Marriage Portrait, 2022 MAY 12 Jessie Burton, The Miniaturist, 2014 JUN 16 Fiona Davis, The Magnolia Palace, 2022 3 sessions: Fri., April 7, May 12, June 16, 12-1:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-762; Members $60; Nonmembers $65

Is the case ever really closed? Join one of the most famous art detectives in the world to hear tales from the trenches of the most notorious art heists in modern history. Expert on art fraud, awardThe Scream by Edvard Munch; winning author, and former FBI stolen and recovered in 1994 agent Robert Wittman provides an up-close vantage point for the engrossing reconnaissance strategies behind the cases he worked on personally or followed as the FBI’s art-crime specialist—collaborating with agencies such as Scotland Yard and the Norwegian National Police. He also provides behindthe-scenes insights into cases that remain unsolved today. Wed., Feb. 1, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-330; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Expert on art fraud, author, and former FBI agent Robert Wittman draws from his book The Devil’s Diary: Alfred Rosenberg and the Stolen Secrets of the Third Reich to recount his 2013 Rosenberg diary recovery of the long-lost private diary of the Nazi Party’s chief ideologue, who laid the philosophical foundations for the Holocaust. Rosenberg’s diary had been lost for more than 60 years and its long-hidden contents offer first-person insights into the Nazi rise to power, the genesis of the Final Solution, and Germany’s brutal occupation of the Soviet Union. Wed., April 12, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-351; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Niagara by Frederic Edwin Church, 1857

House by the Railroad by

Edward Hopper, 1925

World Art History Certificate core course: Earn 1 credit Introduction to American Art

From the glorious vistas of landscape painting to the bold splashes and strokes of Abstract Expressionism, American artists have captured the nation’s enormous energy and tumultuous growth. Art historian Bonita Billman introduces major artists and movements in American painting from the late 18th century to the present, revealing the connections between historical changes and artistic choices. APR 13 Early American Art APR 20 Landscape Painting APR 27 Realism and Impressionism MAY 4 Early Modernism MAY 11 Modern and Contemporary Art 5 sessions: Thurs., April 13–May 11, 12–1:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2253; Members $85; Nonmembers $95

What time does the program end? Unless noted, Smithsonian Associates programs run 1 hour 15 min.–2 hours, including Q&A

Rain, Steam and Speed–The Great Western Railway by J.M.W. Turner, 1844

British artist J.M.W. Turner (1775–1851) is known for innovative landscape paintings that captured nature’s power and drama. His radical techniques allowed him to create unprecedented imagery that still appears modern today.

Art historian Tim Barringer places a selection of Turner’s works in historical context. He reveals how Turner’s art reflected his belief in “the sublime,” an artistic theory that contrasted the power of nature with the fragile condition of mankind, and how in paintings such as Rain, Steam and Speed (1844) he evoked the drastic transformations caused by the Industrial Revolution. Thurs., March 30, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-759; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit Artists and Friends in the World of Manet

Cézanne and Pissarro, Van Gogh and Lautrec

The lone artist, wrestling with their genius and isolated by their obsession with work, is a popular stereotype. But it’s often through their close friendships with other artists that great creative leaps are made. When thinking of great painters who painted Provence, two names jump to mind: Vincent van Gogh and Paul Cézanne. But before they created their celebrated works there, these outsiders had profound experiences and friendships in Paris that would alter their artistic paths.

Popular Smithsonian Associates speaker Paul Glenshaw examines two such relationships: Paul Cézanne’s friendship with Camille Pissarro and Vincent van Gogh’s with Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in the vibrant avant-garde art scene pioneered by Édouard Manet. APR 13 Paris and Manet APR 20 Curious Kindreds: Cézanne and Pissarro APR 27 Curious Kindreds: van Gogh and Toulouse-Lautrec 3 sessions: Thurs., April 13–27, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-362; Members $60; Nonmembers $70

Portrait of Vincent van Gogh by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, 1887

Creative Writing Inspired by Visual Art

Discover how visual art can inspire creative writing and how writing can offer a powerful way to experience art. Join Mary Hall Surface, the founding instructor of the National Gallery of Art’s popular Writing Salon, for three online workshops that explore essential elements of writing and styles through close looking, word-sketching, and imaginative response to prompts. The sessions spotlight a diverse range of visual art chosen to inspire writers of all experience levels to deepen their process and practice. Each workshop has a limited enrollment to maximize interaction among the instructor and students. APR 18 Capture Sensation APR 25 Unveil Stories MAY 2 Explore Place 3 sessions: Tues., April 18, 25, and May 2, 10–11:30 a.m.; CODE 1K0-352; Members $105; Nonmembers $115 Individual sessions: Tues., April 18 (CODE 1K0-353); Tues., April 25 (CODE 1K0-354); Tues., May 2 (CODE 1K0-355); 10-11:30 a.m.; Members $40; Entrance to the Grand Canal from the Molo, by Nonmembers $45 Canaletto 1742/1744

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit Three Masterpieces of Etruscan Art

The Etruscans hold a reputation for mystery, but we do know a lot about them and their remarkable contributions to the history of art. Art historian and author Laura Morelli explores what makes Etruscan culture unique in the Mediterranean world.

She spotlights three Etruscan masterworks excavated from tombs in central Italy; examines how the Etruscans adorned the places where they planned to spend eternity; and describes the incredible luxury objects they took with them. She discusses the hallmarks of Etruscan visual art and why Etruscan archaeology is a vibrant field of study today. Tues., April 18, 12–1:15 p.m.; CODE 1H0-763; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Etruscan fresco (detail) of a musician from the Tomb of the Triclinium in the Necropolis of Monterozzi

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit Isabella Stewart Gardner: A Global Vision of Art

Isabella Stewart Gardner (1840–1924) assembled an extraordinary collection of art from diverse cultures and eras—and built a Venetian-style palazzo in Boston to share her exquisite treasures with the world.

Diana Seave Greenwald, assistant curator of the collection at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, shines new light on Gardner. As one of the authors of Isabella Stewart Gardner: A Life, Greenwald provides a multifaceted portrait of a trailblazing patron and collector—from Italian Renaissance paintings to Chinese antiquities—who created a museum unprecedented in its curatorial vision. Tues., April 25, 6:45 p.m., CODE 1L0-510; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Isabella Stewart Gardner (detail) by John Singer Sargent, 1888

Canoe splashboard, Trobriand Islands, Honolulu Museum of Art World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit 20th-Century Oceanic Art

Ten thousand islands dot the Pacific Ocean, a vast expanse of water that covers one-third of the Earth’s surface. For over 40,000 years, people have lived and traveled among these islands, establishing thriving and interconnected states and societies, and creating artworks that express the excitement and vitality of their lives.

Art historian Kevin Tervala surveys the artistic practice across 20th-century Oceania, examining the ways that European colonization and decolonization, the Pacific theater of World War II, and the increasingly globalized nature of the economy transformed the work that artists did and the forms that they produced. Tues., April 25, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1D0-012; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

All Smithsonian Associates online programs are closed captioned

Leonardo and Michelangelo: These towering geniuses grew up in the same city, shared patrons, and also shared an intense dislike for each other. But their fraught relationship was fueled by a secret mutual fascination and a fierce competition that spurred them to new levels of artistic achievement.

Art historian Nigel McGilchrist depicts the two artists as perfectionists and brilliant craftsmen of radically different kinds who revolutionized the received methods of painting and sculpting. 10 a.m. The Consequences of Competition 11:30 a.m. Techniques and Conservation 12:45 p.m. Break 1:15 p.m. Obsessions and Recurring Themes 2:45 p.m. Writings, Dreams, and Nightmares Sat., May 13, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; CODE 1M2-260; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo

L'Arc de Triomphe, wrapped by Christo and Jeanne-Claude, 2021 World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit The Art of Christo and Jeanne-Claude

Outdoors, Outsized, and Out of the Ordinary

From their New York City apartment, Christo Javacheff and Jeanne-Claude Denat de Guillebon initiated some of the most enigmatic, ephemeral, and beautiful works of public art ever created around the world. Each used acres of colorful fabric to cover an entire building, line a path, or surround islands—on display for no more than two weeks.

Art historian Nancy G. Heller analyzes the couple’s most important projects and explains their significance in the history of contemporary art. Wed., May 24, 12–1:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-262; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

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