Two of a Kind?

This exhibition is an exercise in comparison. It invites visitors to consider pairs of artworks, drawn primarily from the Museum’s permanent collection, and contemplate the question posed by its title: are these artworks truly Two of a Kind?

The pairs are presented in five different groups or categories that offer a starting point from which to begin. Material Matters considers how an artist’s materials or media impact our experience of the art. The pairs in Seeing Double suggest that there are many different ways that works can be made to “go” together. What’s in a Name examines the importance of an artwork’s title, and sometimes the artist’s name, in shaping our understanding of its meaning. A Matter of Perspective investigates how the identity of the artist, subject, or viewer can create a unique vantage point that frames the scene in a particular light. Tête-à-tête explores the ways that artists can build upon or respond to each other’s work. This category also proposes new parallels between pieces that may never have been put into conversation with one another before.