The Walters Art Museum in Baltimore is presenting the first major exhibition in the United States to explore the artistic and cultural traditions of Ethiopia (3 December–3 March 2024). The show spans 1,750 years of Ethiopian history, as seen through some 220 objects drawn from the Walters’ world-renowned collection of Ethiopian art and international loans. These include coins minted by generations of Aksumite rulers, textiles used for manuscript bindings and garments, and early illuminated manuscripts. Among the highlights are Christian icons, wall paintings and processional crosses created during the reign of Emperor Zar’a Ya’qob (r. 1434–68), such as Diptych with Mary and her Son Flanked by Archangels, Apostles and a Saint by a follower of Fre Seyon, which show the influence of religious paintings from Europe, while contemporary works demonstrate how traditional Ethiopian craftsmanship is being adapted by a new generation. Find out more on the Walters Art Museum’s website.
Preview below | View Apollo’s Art Diary
Unlimited access from just $16 every 3 months
Subscribe to get unlimited and exclusive access to the top art stories, interviews and exhibition reviews.
Pilgrims’ progress? The Vatican Jubilee has frustrated Romans and tourists alike