18th-Century European Ceramics and Paintings April 15, 2008

Drawing from the art museums' permanent collections, a new long-term installation of 18th-century ceramics, prints and paintings, many exhibited here for the first time, presents a wide range of objects from Castelli plaques to portrait medallions by Giovanni Battista Nini. A trophy example of Josiah Wedgwood's 'Portland Vase' will be seen alongside other pieces from the celebrated Wedgwood holdings once part of Grenville L. Winthrop's collection. An accompanying selection of related prints illustrates some of the same themes as the ceramics; these works also served as sources and inspiration for ceramics and works in other media during this century.