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The Department of Conservation and Science is responsible for the treatment, research, and long-term preservation of more than 300,000 works of art in the Art Institute’s collections.
The Art Institute acquired its first work by a black artist—Henry Ossawa Tanner’s The Two Disciples at the Tomb—in 1906, the same year it was made.
Every year we grow our collection with works that expand and deepen the stories we tell and the perspectives we share—across geographies, periods and cultures. Enjoy a few highlights of this past year’s additions.
The Art Institute’s collection includes works that span ancient Egyptian history from about 4000 BCE to the first centuries CE.
Latin America spans two continents and comprises a multitude of cultures, while its arts span millennia and represent a world of artistic styles.
Five felophiles on our staff share works by artists who share their love of cats.
This publication highlights Henri Matisse’s paintings, drawings, and more in the Art Institute of Chicago’s collection. These extraordinary objects illuminate the stylistic and thematic paths that the artist explored, presenting a comprehensive view of his career.
This publication offers insights into Paul Cezanne’s unique methods and materials through richly detailed essays and cutting-edge technical reports. The fourteen paintings and watercolors span the artist’s career and his signature subjects: landscapes, portraits, still lifes, and bathers.
Renowned as the “master of the macabre,” Chicago native Ivan Albright is famous for richly detailed paintings of ghoulish subjects. This catalogue brings together fresh perspectives on the artist.
An in-depth exploration of the Art Institute’s important collection of James McNeill Whistler’s work, tracing the artist’s dramatic reception in Chicago.
Look closely at the work Alma Thomas, an artist who explored color, light, and the natural world through painting. Learn more about the artist and her work, make art inspired by her example, and explore the work of other artists with connections to Thomas.
Take a deep look at Weaving by Diego Rivera to learn how Indigenous Mexican traditions and modern art movements influenced his creative practice. Using the activities provided, you can make weavings and portraits inspired by your heritage. Plus, explore collection works by Rivera’s peers.
Learn about by Elizabeth Catlett who used her art to honor Black history and culture and to fight for social justice, including in her collaborative work with the Mexican printmaking collective, Taller de Gráfica Popular (TGP).
Consider Georgia O’Keeffe’s perspective on New York’s skyline through The Shelton with Sunspots, N.Y., and use the information and prompts provided to learn more about the artist, explore related work, and make art inspired by your own surroundings.
