July 31, 2018
In today’s digital age, every owner of a social media account serves as their own minister of propaganda. With each shared photo, observation, and announcement, we control our image and shape the way others perceive us. But even back in Napoleon’s day, paintings, clothing, decorative arts, and political cartoons served as propaganda tools. Napoleon: Power…
July 11, 2018
Though you may not have the opportunity to visit Paris, all it takes is a little imagination and some careful planning to craft a French-inspired staycation that will transport you from the River City to the City of Lights. Here’s your itinerary for a trés French day in RVA. Can Can Brasserie Photos © Can…
June 4, 2018
In Napoleon: Power and Splendor at VMFA, more than 200 exquisite works of art include major masterpieces of paintings, decorative arts, sculptures, and engravings, many of which are on view in the United States for the first time. The innovative exhibition offers an up-close encounter with the propaganda machine that modernized and legitimized the reign…
June 1, 2018
This June, VMFA joins a long list of cultural venues across the United States in celebrating the Month of Portugal with its special exhibition, Contemporary Art from Portugal. Organized in collaboration with the Lisbon-based Fundação Luso-Americana (Luso-American Development Foundation), the exhibition features works by six contemporary Portuguese artists. The exhibition is on display in the…
April 9, 2018
In the first exhibition of ancient art in nearly 25 years, VMFA presents The Horse in Ancient Greek Art, an exploration of the Greeks’ fascination with an animal that served as a symbol of wealth, power, and status. Dr. Peter Schertz, Jack and Mary Ann Frable Curator of Ancient Art, shares some insights into the…
January 13, 2018
By Alex Nyerges, VMFA Director For the past week, I’ve been traveling through China with a group of journalists, spending time in both Xi’an and Beijing—but, more importantly, traveling back in time. This trip builds on our long-term cultural partnerships with agencies in China, and I was delighted to show how VMFA has developed relationships…
January 10, 2018
By Alex Nyerges, VMFA Director With a packed itinerary ahead of us, we started yesterday at the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, built during Tang Dynasty in 652, which is an important symbol of modern Xi’an culture—and a perfect place to reflect on today’s step back in time to the Qin nation. Curating a major art…
January 7, 2018
By Jan Hatchette, VMFA Deputy Director for Communications No one can ever prepare you for the hustle and bustle of China—even when there was a lot of preparation to get us here. We landed today in Beijing, then rushed to make our connection to Xi’an, an exciting city balancing its legacy as one of the…
January 6, 2018
By Alex Nyerges, VMFA Director If someone gave me a plane ticket today to go anywhere, I’d immediately hop on a plane to China, probably without even pausing to pack a suitcase. Of course, I’d bring along my lovely wife, my son, and my new daughter-in-law to share in this experience halfway around the world.…
October 6, 2017
Kay WalkingStick, the Cherokee painter, focuses on the American Landscape and it’s metaphorical significances not only to Native Americans but also to all of our citizenry. The landscape sustains us physically and spiritually. It is our beautiful corner of the cosmos. The varied rendering of landscape in WalkingStick’s art is the thread that weaves together…
