Bodily Things: Three Recent Books Underscore the Centrality of Bodies in Material Studies
by Kate Burnett Budzyn It is a fact “so obvious that some of us take it for granted,” writes the historian and anthropologist Michel-Rolph Trouillot: “History begins with bodies and artifacts.”1 All material culture enthusiasts know that objects are...
Building a History of Early American Jewish Women from Objects: Laura Arnold Leibman’s ‘The Art of the Jewish Family’
by Kate Burnett BudzynLaura Arnold Leibman’s The Art of the Jewish Family: A History of Women in Early New York in Five Objects, published in 2020 by Bard Graduate Center, is a history drawn from material fragments. Acknowledging the paucity of records...
Into the Bluegrass: Mel Hankla on the Art and Artistry of Kentucky’s Historic Icons
by Taryn Clary The stories presented within Mel Hankla’s book Into the Bluegrass: Art and Artistry of Kentucky’s Historic Icons are the product of more than 35 years of dedicated collecting, diligent research, and focused study. The book’s theme was...
Moira Gallagher and Medill Higgins Harvey on Edward C. Moore, Tiffany & Co., and The Metropolitan Museum of Art
For our March Virtual Dialogue, the Trust had the pleasure of featuring an inspiring young curator, Moira Gallagher, Research Associate for American Decorative Arts in the American Wing at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Moira shared the work that she has...
A Material Culture Mystery: Cybèle Gontar on ‘Chasing the Butterfly Man’
by Taryn Clary Who was the Butterfly Man? The anonymous cabinetmaker worked in New Orleans, LA, in the first quarter of the 19th century, a moment of great change and population growth following the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. His distinctive series of...
About The Decorative Arts Trust Bulletin
Formerly known as the "blog,” the Bulletin features new research and scholarship, travelogues, book reviews, and museum and gallery exhibitions. The Bulletin complements The Magazine of the Decorative Arts Trust, our biannual members publication.