Interactive Features The Collection › Writings › Interactive Features Interactive Features Writings Articles Interactive Features Digital Publications Print Publications Showing 32 items The Wonderground Map This 1914 map of the London transit system was no mere navigation tool but rather a playful scene full of jokes, puns, and all sorts of delightful fun. Reading a Mummy Mask Discover the meaning behind the many symbols on this Egyptian mummy mask—from the gold skin to the depictions of gods and goddesses to the amulet shaped like a human heart. Conserving a Carousel Horse Carousels harken back to a bygone era. Only about 200 of the nearly 2,000 wooden carousels that once operated across the country are in use today. The conservation of this jumping horse offers a glimpse into its colorful history. The Assumption of the Virgin One of the most important paintings of El Greco’s career, "The Assumption of the Virgin" has become an iconic work in the Art Institute collection. Learn about the painting’s origins, its journey to the museum, and a recent endeavor to clean and preserve the work for future visitors. A Portrait in Two Parts Uncover the mystery behind this ancient fragment of a portrait bust, and learn how it was made whole again through innovative science and research efforts. Charged by Power The primary task of the nail-studded nkisi was to hunt down evil and wrongdoers. Forged in Steel Trace the many steps taken to make this elaborate armor, from the import of steel ingots to the shaping of delicate patterns and details—and a whole lot of fire and pounding in between. A Memorable Masterpiece When acquiring antiquities, such as this distinctive sculpture, we conduct thorough research to make sure that we are acting legally and ethically. From Ancient Greece to Chicago Learn more about this vase—created in Greece more than 2,000 years ago and transported to Chicago in the late 19th century—and see how it became one of the first pieces to join the Art Institute’s collection. A Headdress for Dance Take a close look at this West African dance headdress, which represents the universal mother as an ideal of the female role in society, and consider how its appearance encompasses choreography, music, and song. Ancient Inspiration Discover how an ancient sculpture by an unknown artist found new life as artists of the Renaissance used it repeatedly as a source of inspiration for their own work. A Wooden Pillow Discover the functions and meanings behind one of the most striking art forms of the Zulu and other Nguni-speaking peoples in southeast Africa—wooden neckrests. The Art of the Viking Sword Among the most prized possessions of a Viking warrior, swords were imbued with characters of their own and often given names such as “destroyer of the mail coat” or “war snake.” A Hidden Hoard Coins from antiquity are sometimes discovered in hoards—collections that were lost or hidden as a group. Framing the Holy The evolving traditions behind this tabernacle in Santa Maria Maggiore help us understand its meaning today. Next Previous 1 2 3 Page 1 Share
