Today's hours:
10 am–5 pm
Monday
10 am–5 pm
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
10 am–5 pm
Friday
10 am–5 pm
Saturday
10 am–5 pm
Sunday
10 am–5 pm
Monday
10 am–5 pm
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
10 am–5 pm
Friday
10 am–5 pm
Saturday
10 am–5 pm
Sunday
10 am–5 pm
Powerful Figures features sculptures that embody the concept of power.
These figures, from disparate cultures around the world and across time, embody power as both a fundamental social dynamic and a part of our innate wiring to respond to figures and faces. Curved niches encourage visitors to engage with each artwork, decluttering the field of view and focusing attention. Poetically concise labels heighten the emotional tenor of the experience. Located in the Louise Du Pont Crowninshield Gallery.
Share your impressions on social media using the hashtag #PowerfulFigures.
Artist in Japan, Jizō Bosatsu (detail), 1279. Wood, lacquer, bronze, gold leaf and crystal. Gift of Dr. Charles Goddard Weld. © Peabody Essex Museum. Photography by Bob Packert/PEM.
Chinese artist, Mr. Nobody (detail), late 17th century. Porcelain. Museum purchase. © Peabody Essex Museum. Photography by Kathy Tarantola/PEM.
African artist Ndoli Jowei, Mask, late 19th–early 20th century. Wood. Gift of Margaret Langmuir Jager. © Peabody Essex Museum. Photography by Kathy Tarantola/PEM.
Heiltsuk (Bella Bella) artist, Mask, ca. 1845. Wood, pigment. Gift of Mr. Edward S. Moseley. © Peabody Essex Museum. Photography by Kathy Tarantola/PEM.
Artists from the Marquesas Islands, ‘U’u (war club), late 18th century, Carved toa, sennit and human hair. Gift of John Fitzpatrick Jeffrie. © Peabody Essex Museum. Photography by Bob Packert/PEM.
Adam Dirckz and workshop, Prayer bead with the Coronation of the Virgin in Heaven and the Day of Judgment, about 1500–1530. Carved boxwood. Gift of Elias Hasket Derby Jr., 1806. M557.A. Peabody Essex Museum. Photo by Walter Silver/PEM.
Indian artist, The Goddess Vasurimala (detail), mid-19th century. Wood, water-based pigments. Gift of Robert P. Gay. © Peabody Essex Museum. Photography by Kathy Tarantola/PEM.
Shakuntala Kulkarni, Untitled, from Of Bodies, Armour and Cages series, 2010–2012. Cane. Museum purchase by exchange, 2020.20.1. Photo by Kathy Tarantola/PEM.
Virtual gallery tour
Click to embark on a 360° tour of Powerful Figures. Just click on the rings to move throughout the space and use your mouse or keyboard to zoom in and out and look around.
Curator Interview
Lynda Roscoe Hartigan, The Rose-Marie and Eijk van Otterloo Executive Director and CEO, talks about Powerful Figures.
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