FUTURE

JACOB LAWRENCE: THE LIFE OF TOUSSAINT L'OUVERTURE

Opening in early 2025, this exhibition will feature fifteen original silkscreens by one of America’s leading figurative twentieth-century artists, Jacob Lawrence (1917-2000). This series of prints on The Life of Toussaint L’Ouverture provides a visual narrative of one the most consequential events in modern history. Under the direction of Associate Professor of Art History Sibel Zandi-Sayek, William & Mary students in the required practicum course for Art History majors, The Curatorial Project (ARTH 331), will design and deliver an exhibition featuring Lawrence’s highly colorful and dynamic works on the Haitian Revolution and its leader. In addition, the students will examine the literary and visual imaginings of Toussaint L’Ouverture and the Haitian Revolution and incorporate important and relevant materials from the Special Collections Research Center in the exhibition. The works were acquired by the Muscarelle in late 2022, and have never before been on display in the Museum.

MICHELANGELO: THE GENESIS OF THE SISTINE

Muscarelle Museum of Art

Bringing 24 rarely-displayed masterpiece drawings by Michelangelo to the United States, Michelangelo: The Genesis of the Sistine will offer American viewers an unprecedented opportunity to experience first- hand the genius of the famed artist. Displaying Michelangelo’s initial studies and early drawings of the famous frescoes of the Sistine Chapel, the exhibition will explore the rich story of the origin of these works, arguably some of the most famous in the world.

Based on 15 years of scholarship by Muscarelle Curator of Special Projects Adriano Marinazzo, the exhibition will highlight new and compelling theories about Michelangelo’s work, including a comparison between “The Creation of Adam” and a self-portrait which suggests that the artist may have envisioned himself as the Creator.