Art in the Americas

Published to accompany the newly reimagined Art of the Americas galleries at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, this beautifully illustrated catalog offers a fresh perspective on eighteenth-century art across North, Central, and South America, as well as the Caribbean.

Created as part of the museum’s major reinstallation marking the 250th anniversary of American Independence, the publication reexamines the artistic and cultural history of the Americas through themes of conflict, exchange, identity, and resilience. Rather than presenting a traditional national narrative, the galleries integrate Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists, highlighting the interconnected histories of peoples, cultures, and artistic traditions throughout the Americas.

The catalog features paintings, sculpture, decorative arts, furniture, silver, ceramics, and works on paper from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston’s renowned collection. Masterpieces by artists including Gilbert Stuart, John Singleton Copley, Paul Revere, Thomas Sully, and David Drake are presented alongside works by Native American artists and contemporary voices, creating meaningful dialogues between historical and modern perspectives.

Through eight thematic gallery sections, Art in the Americas explores the people, ideas, and events that shaped the Americas while inviting readers to reconsider familiar narratives from broader cultural perspectives. Richly illustrated and thoughtfully researched, this volume serves as an essential reference for collectors, scholars, and anyone interested in American art, colonial America, decorative arts, Indigenous art, and the shared artistic heritage of the Americas.