The Art of Propaganda

Modern Art and the Cold War

Discover the power of art as a subversive weapon of the Cold War. From Abstract Expressionist star Jackson Pollock and modern art's connection with the C.I.A. to The Great Leap Forward, we will examine how art shapes public opinion through trafficking social narratives and subverting expectations. From the hands of select "geniuses" to communists' poster prints, explore art's ability to influence the minds of the masses.

Communism, Censorship, and the Birth of a New Narrative

After the Mexican Revolution (1910–1920), throughout the Americas, a new narrative was being woven through the hands of Mexican artists who would hybridize local lore and Mexican mythology. Los Tres Grandes — Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco, and David Alfaro Siqueiros — would weave a visual narrative of the nation's new direction, bringing them international fame. This new narrative would intersect massive murals with leftist politics and the printing press, leading to empowering ideals, questionable ethics, and communist controversy for these Mexican artists in the United States.

Gold and Grandeur in Ancient Egypt’s New Kingdom

Travel more than 3000 years back in time as we explore ancient Egypt through the power, grandeur, and gold of the great Pharaoh Ramses II. We will examine the afterlife, magic spells, and temples made to honor the incredible women who influenced his kingdom. From his epic battles to the world’s first recorded peace treaty, discover the power of art and a

Connecting the Renaissance to Today

Explore Renaissance masters Giotto, Raphael, and Michelangelo's masterpieces set amidst the profound impact of the printing press as ancient ideas make their way to the masses. From the halls to the walls, we wander the house of God and examine how the divine manifest in compositions of this incredible era. As we investigate the heights of the Renaissance, we examine the dynamic web of exploration, innovation, and globalization that continue to exert force on our world in unexpected ways.

Contemporary Art, Pulling the Past into the Present

Discover the confluence of art and history via contemporary masters. The past will meet the present leaving us in awe of the creative genius inspired by previous centuries' aesthetics manifesting in today's brightest stars. See art through a new lens as we explore creative inspiration, controversy, and social commentary from Alexander McQueen's fashion masterpieces to Kehinde Wiley's portraiture and beyond.