Collections in Context

This exhibition in the John M. & Sally B. Thornton Rotunda supports the Museum’s fundamental mission to collect, preserve, display, and interpret the finest works that men and women have created over time. As museum collections grow, the story of how objects are acquired, or how a new object relates to others already cared for by the institution, becomes important to share with visitors.

Collections in Context accomplishes this by featuring an object received by the Museum by gift or purchase within the past six months alongside an object or a group of objects that has been at the Museum for a number of years. By offering a context in which to test visual relationships between new acquisitions and objects long-held by the Museum, Collections in Context presents the daily practice of museum work to visitors.

With this effort, the San Diego Museum of Art strives also to continue to build upon its enduring collection strengths. This space will change regularly, so visitors are encouraged to return often to see new pairings.