Visual Arts

Explore exhibitions, artists, and visual works that enrich Harvard’s cultural and academic life.

Two bare-knuckle boxers fight in a ring, surrounded by onlookers in 19th-century attire.

England’s First Sports Megastar

A collection of illustrations capture a boxer’s triumphant moment. 

by Nell Porter-Brown

Beau McCall, at left, wearing Button Jacket: Born in Philly, Made in Harlem, circa 1988, and his partner, Souleo, wearing Button Jacket: Stacked Sleeves, circa early 1990s-2021

Art Made Out of Buttons

Works by Harlem-based artist Beau McCall at Brockton's Fuller Craft Museum

by Nell Porter-Brown

Fairfield Porter's “Self-Portrait in the Studio,” painted in 1948

An Underknown Twentieth Century Realist Artist

Brief life of an American realist artist and critic: 1907-1975

by Jane Borthwick

Botanical works from Houghton’s collections displayed in the renovated lobby’s display cases for a summer exhibition

Botanical illustrations on display at Harvard

Botanical illustrations on display at Harvard’s rare book library

by Jack R. Trapanick

Painting of bold purple tones reflecting experience of music

MASS MoCA Exhibition on the Experience of Jazz

Works by Jason Moran at MASS MoCA

by Nell Porter-Brown

Two MAD Magazine covers

MAD Magazine at the Norman Rockwell Museum

An illustrative retrospective at the Norman Rockwell Museum 

by Nell Porter-Brown

Tunic pattern

The Mystery Behind an Incan Tunic

Unraveling an Inca masterpiece’s secrets

by Max J. Krupnick

Portrait of Kimberly Dowdell sitting on steps

Architect Kimberly Dowdell is Changing Her Profession

Kimberly Dowdell influences her profession—and the built environment.

by Nell Porter-Brown

Hudson in a baseball cap with her easel and paints at a rocky seaside

Landscapes of a Harvard Plein Air Painter

Kathleen B Hudson ’09 captures the essence of the outdoors, from the Rocky Mountains to the beaches of Maui.

by Brandon Rosas

Corita Kent’s a man you can lean on (1966) plays with its medium: screenprints are not reversed in the making, but her image is.

Harvard Professor on Printmaking

An art historian analyzes an overlooked medium.

by Murray Whyte

Oval black and white image of Frederick Douglas with gold frame around image

American Citizenship Through Photography

How photographs promote social justice

by Nina Pasquini