Getty continues its online-accessible series of exhibits and art exploration. Explore the range of online events, podcasts, and articles.
Pulled from a field in Albania, a 2,500-year-old statuette comes to Getty
In 2018, archaeologists in Albania watched as a farmer plowing his field unearthed a stunning find: a small statuette of a horse and rider created around 500 BCE. The Albanian Institute of Archaeology enlisted Getty’s help, entrusting the horseman—still caked in soil—to the Museum’s conservation lab, where conservators and researchers spent months cleaning the bronze and investigating its still-mysterious origins.
See the statuette's dazzling transformation
Why the Pope got (precious) stoned
If you’ve been to the Getty Villa, studied ancient art, or visited well-preserved ruins of an antique culture, you’ve likely seen a mosaic: a picture or pattern produced by arranging together small colored pieces of hard material, such as stone, tile, or glass. But did you know that there are different types of mosaics? The portrait of Pope Clement VIII at right may look like a painting with an unusual amount of luster. But, upon closer inspection, you’ll notice that it is not made with paint at all, but tiny pieces of precious stone. It's a sumptuous example of commesso.
Find out the difference between traditional mosaics and commesso
You asked: what is a Kabinettschrank?
In our latest FAAQ (Frequently Asked Art Questions) video, Jessie tells us about the Kabinettschrank, a 17th-to-18th-century decorative cabinet that opens on all four sides. Peek inside and you’ll find tiny paintings created by famous artists of the day; intricate wood carvings depicting historical and mythological stories; and secret doors tucked behind other doors. (What precious things would you store in those hidden chambers?)
A creative project to rediscover Black portraiture
In the early days of the pandemic, opera singer Peter Brathwaite couldn’t do what he loved most: perform. But when Getty’s Museum Challenge took off, he joined the fun, recreating more than 100 artworks featuring portraits of Black sitters. A new book from Getty Publications, Rediscovering Black Portraiture, features more than 50 of his innovative, bold, and whimsical re-creations.
Another story of inspiration: Teen delighted by Getty’s 18th-century French paintings creates a unique prom dress
Decades before the moon landing, photographers snapped these stunning shots
You’ve probably seen photographs of the moon landing (which celebrates its 54th anniversary today!). But what about the photos that came before it? From the earliest days of photography, scientists were eager to use photographic technologies to learn more about the moon, the solar system, and the night sky. Check out dazzling photos of the moon taken in the 19th century, and learn how early astronomers were able to capture images of the cosmos.
Museum exhibitions that tickle the senses
When was the last time you went to a museum and were encouraged to experience art with your hands or ears, not your eyes? From "haptic boxes" to birdsongs, some museums are finding new ways to engage your senses. Learn how curators are bringing experiential elements of sound and touch to prints and drawings exhibitions, supported by Getty.
Peek into these sensory exhibitions
The secret history of a Middle Eastern photo album
Getty recently purchased a photograph album of 45 albumen prints depicting what appear to be locales somewhere in the Levant. These types of photographs were common in the latter half of the 19th century, when hordes of European travelers, wanting to memorialize their journeys through the Holy Land, purchased images from large stocks available at local studios. But the photographs in this particular album didn’t depict the usual must-see destinations like Jerusalem and Bethlehem. In fact, some of the photos contain clues that could point to espionage.
Discover the story behind this unique album
Leonardo at Getty
Leonardo da Vinci was a deeply influential painter, sculptor, architect, engineer (military, civil, and aeronautical), inventor, anatomist, cartographer, theoretician, and musician. In this digital exhibition from Google Arts & Culture, explore Getty’s two da Vinci drawings: a caricature and a sheet covered in sketches, notes, and ideas for a new machine.