Activating the Renaissance

The Italian galleries of the Walters Art Museum bridge the past and the present in an exhibition that seeks to illustrate the connections between the Italian Renaissance and Baroque periods and contemporary art, each offering insights into the other.

Activating the Renaissance features paintings, photography, and sculpture by six artists, the majority from the Baltimore area: Jessica Bastidas, Tawny Chatmon, Bernhard Hildebrandt, Murjoni Merriweather, Stephen Towns and Ventiko. Their art is displayed alongside paintings and sculpture from the Walters collection by masters such as Jacopo Pontormo and Giovanni Battista Tiepolo.

Joaneath Spicer, James A. Murnaghan, Curator of Renaissance and Baroque Art, selected the artists and artworks in the exhibition based on their ability to draw forward and reflect upon stylistic and thematic elements in both classic and contemporary work. The artworks are placed throughout the Italian Renaissance and Baroque galleries to show the techniques and stylistic elements that artists past and present use to share personal experience and portray their subjects.

The Walters Italian paintings constitute one of the most significant holdings in the Americas and some of the most popular and well-known works in the museum.

Activating the Renaissance is generously funded by supporters of the Walters Art Museum.