The Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art is currently showcasing its rarely seen Islamic art collection through a multimedia exhibition titled “Divine Geometry.” Featuring floral motifs, geometric patterns, and calligraphy, the exhibition presents the diverse artistic language of Islamic art via a variety of objects.
Since 1905, when Elizabeth Hart Jarvis Colt bequeathed her collection, the Wadsworth has amassed a small but highly valuable collection of Islamic art. The works, dating from the ninth century onwards, trace the geographic history of Islamic arts across Asia, Africa, and Europe. They include manuscripts, tiles, metalwork, glass, textiles, and carvings, offering a glimpse into over a thousand years of Islamic creativity.
Primarily drawn from the museum’s own collection, the exhibition is supplemented by modern and contemporary pieces as well as key loans from partner institutions. An accompanying catalogue provides further insights into the museum’s Islamic arts collection, bolstering its status among American museums.
Looking ahead, the Wadsworth aims to collaborate with Hartford’s Islamic communities and others within Connecticut. Plans include a new Islamic art installation in 2026 and live demonstrations of Islamic calligraphy and ceramic-making, organized with local artisans, to engage the public with traditional techniques.
Reported by: CT Examiner
