Exhibitions

Ethiopian Icons: Faith and Science

January 30, 2003 – October 5, 2003

National Museum of African Art
950 Independence Ave., SW
Washington, DC

Sublevel 1

See on Map Floor Plan

This exhibition focuses on the icon—an art form associated with the Ethiopian Orthodox church—and features six icons from the museum's collection that have recently undergone technical analysis and conservation treatment. In addition to the icons, comparative objects including a hand cross, processional cross, and prayer finial stick are on display. This behind-the-scenes glimpse offers new insights from two viewpoints—the curator and conservator—into the creation of the icons and the effort involved in preserving them.