Cleveland's Gothic, Renaissance, Islamic Art Galleries Re-opened After Seven-Year Hiatus

AKRON | WEST SIDE LEADER
By Roger Durbin

Prayer Niche. Courtesy of Columbus Museum of Art

OHIO---The Cleveland Museum of Art’s (CMA) expansion and renovation project is winding to a close this year, as evidenced by the recent re-opening of the Gothic, Renaissance and Islamic galleries, which makes available 450 works that have not been seen in quite some time. The artwork is showcased in the recently renovated galleries of the first level of the museum’s original 1916 Beaux-Arts building. Within each historical area, objects are organized thematically and incorporate a variety of media. While some of the more prominent pieces within the Gothic (or Medieval), Renaissance and Islamic collections are back with added emphasis in their positioning within the galleries, there are several new works to CMA that are sure to catch viewers’ eyes. The Islamic collection includes works from 10 countries and spans 1,300 years, ranging from antiquity to the modern day. [link]