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Conservation of an Egyptian minbar door, Mamluk period, 1382–98: December 2013

Conservation of an Egyptian minbar door, Mamluk period, 1382–98: February 2014

ELLIOT BOSTWICK DAVIS: This picture was one that we really designed much of level 1 around, it was so important to us. It had really not been on view consistently, and it had never been on view with its original frame before, because we really didn’t have the space. It’s virtually a life size portrait. But it’s something new. Sully here was quite innovative and showed a great deal of inspiration in creating what he called an ‘historical portrait.’

[WIND, FIRE CRACKLING, BIRDS SQUAWKING]

Today, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA), revealed the results of an in-depth study of Boston’s cultural audience, Culture Track 2014: Focus on…

NARRATOR: This mask is different from every other mask in this gallery… because it would have been worn and performed by a woman. Female masking performances are rare in Africa. The Sowei mask plays an important role in the all-female Sande Society. This society is a lifelong network of women among the Vai, Mende and neighboring peoples in present-day Sierra Leone.

CHRISTRAUD GEARY: Now if you look at the Portuguese soldier, there are certain details that I don’t want you to miss. One is that everything is articulated in the greatest detail. Look at his hands, they’re beautifully done, and look at the fact that you can see his fingernails, even. Look at his feet, same thing, they’re beautifully executed.