MFA receives a transformational gift spanning three centuries of Jewish decorative arts.

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.

MFA receives one of the largest gifts in its history

Treatment of The Triumph of the Winter Queen: Allegory of the Just, dated 1636, by Gerrit van Honthorst (Dutch, 1590–1656): April 2012 With cleaning…

Treatment of two sarcophagi, Etruscan Late Classical or Early Hellenistic: Febuary 2012 Conservators are working to remove decades of accumulated soot…

Relocation and conservation of a Roman sculpture of the goddess Juno, early second century A.D.: January 2012, Preparation for installation Relocation…

Relocation and conservation of a Roman sculpture of the goddess Juno, early second century A.D.: March 2012, Transport into the building On March 20…

Relocation and conservation of a Roman sculpture of the goddess Juno, early second century A.D.: March 2012, Final installation Riggers (from…