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Hours of operation Closed but virtual today located in Durham, NC

Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University

It feels really wonderful that I can show the students ancient Maya and Nahua art. They can get up close to a piece of art that is 1,500 years old. They can see how the materials are painted and how they’re constructed — and they can’t see that online.

Pete Sigal, Professor of History at Duke, visiting with his class, Aztecs & Mayans
More Exhibitions
A painting magically returns to its former glory
WATCH THE VIDEO

A painting magically returns to its former glory

A new Nasher video brings viewers into the Durham studio of art conservator Ruth Cox, who meticulously repaired and conserved the painting Portrait of an Artist by Joseph Wright of Derby. Watch the video.

Molly Boarati, Associate Curator, who organized Off the Map: The Provenance of a Painting.
CURATORIAL RESEARCH

Why Does Provenance Matter?

“The objects people value convey notions of cultural identity as it changes over time, and act as reminders of our collective humanity.” — Molly Boarati, Associate Curator
Learn more.

Joseph Wright of Derby (attributed), British, Portrait of an Artist, 18th century. Oil on canvas, 29 1/8 x 24 1/2 inches (74 x 62.2 cm). Collection of the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University. Bequest of Mary D.B.T. Semans in memory of her mother, Mary Duke Biddle; 2013.3.1. Photo by Peter Paul Geoffrion.
EXHIBITION OPENING SEPTEMBER 23

Off the Map: The Provenance of a Painting

This intimate show in the Incubator Gallery provides a case study of a single work in the Nasher Museum’s collection: Portrait of an Artist, attributed to Joseph Wright of Derby and bequeathed to the museum by Mary Duke Biddle Trent Semans. Learn more.

Free Admission, New Art, Café and Store!

Nasher Museum is Open

The Nasher Museum is open to the public with new health and safety protocols, free admission for all and a contemporary exhibition featuring works of art that are new to the collection. The Nasher Museum Café and Nasher Museum Store are also open. Find out more about visiting the Nasher.

Nasher Café Reopens

Café Now Open

The Nasher Museum Café now offers in-person dining outside and also curbside pickup for to-go orders! Call 919-684-6032. Café hours: Tuesday through Friday, 11 AM to 3 PM. Find out more about new safety protocols at the café.

Allison Janae Hamilton, Floridawater II, 2019. Archival pigment print, edition 5/5, 24 x 36 inches (61 x 91.4 cm). Collection of the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University. Museum purchase with funds provided by The Durham (NC) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated; 2021.13.1. © Allison Janae Hamilton. Image courtesy of Marianne Boesky Gallery, New York.
New to the Collection

Allison Janae Hamilton, Floridawater II, Sisters, Wakulla County FL and When the wind has teeth

“Place is the center of my practice, particularly the land itself. I’m always thinking about the actual materials of land as a storyteller.” — Allison Janae Hamilton 


The Nasher has acquired a trio of photographs by Hamilton for our collection, purchased with funds provided by The Durham (NC) Chapter of The Links, Inc.

WATCH VIDEO

The Art Minute

One minute, one work of art, one personal story. Brought to you by the Nasher Education Department.
 
"This one happened to catch my eye because it reminded me of me and my oldest daughter. … She’s just the apple of his eye.” —Gerald Gunnell, Nasher Security Ambassador 
Watch The Art Minute.

Welcome Back!
See the Photos

Welcome Back!

Museum reopened to the public on September 9 with new health and safety protocols, free admission for all and a contemporary exhibition featuring works of art that are new to the collection.

Let's Be Social!

Follow @nashermuseum

The Nasher Museum is open to the public with new health and safety protocols and free admission for all, Tuesday through Friday, 10 AM to 5 PM. We strongly encourage all individuals to be fully vaccinated before visiting the Nasher.