Museum exhibits offer a vivid way to learn about art and culture. This show at the High Museum in Atlanta runs until
September 09, and looks to reflect what is seen as “masterpiece” and how our views have changed or progressed over time.
What is a Masterpiece? What is a Masterpiece? will be divided into two parts, with the first exploring the changing historical definitions of the concept of masterpiece through a selection of objects from the ancient Near East through mid-19th-century works. In the ancient world, a masterpiece was defined by an object’s owner and purpose. In contrast, medieval artists’ works achieved mastery within guild levels. Notable objects in this section include two such inscribed works: a Limoges ciborium (ca. 1200 A.D.), a vessel used for holding communion hosts, and a hammered bronze basin known as the Baptistery of St. Louis, (ca. late 13th/early 14th century A.D.). The Baptistery of Saint Louis was later used to baptize Louis XIII in 1610 and Napoleon III’s son in 1856.
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