The Albany Institute’s collection is rich in two- and three-dimensional representations of animals. In everyday life, animals are part of our personal experience, whether as pets, beasts of burden, or part of the natural world around us. In art, animal images have been used as subject, decoration, and metaphor since ancient times. Ranging from farmyard to forest to fantasy, Birds and Beasts will remind you of the many ways that animals have been part of the universal human experience.
The objects selected also represent the types of collections the Institute holds: fine arts, decorative arts, photographs, costumes, toys, utilitarian objects, household furnishings and jewelry. The oldest object in this exhibition was made in 1619 in the Netherlands and the most recent was made in Albany in 2006.
The works of Albany-born sisters Gertrude and Dorothy Lathrop are featured in Birds and Beasts. Gertrude (1896-1986) was a sculptor of animals, and Dorothy (1891-1980) was an award-winning illustrator whose drawings were used in more than 38 books.
Lead exhibition support is provided by Douglas L. Cohn, D.V.M.
Major support provided by Fenimore Asset Management, Inc., Taconic Biosciences, Barbara and James Featherstonhaugh, William M. Harris and Holly A. Katz, Ellen Jabbur, and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.
Season exhibition support is provided by Phoebe Powell Bender, Mr. and Mrs. George R. Hearst III, Charles M. Liddle III, and Lois and David Swawite.
Summer Exhibition Reception | special event | Tuesday, July 31, 2018 | 5:30—7PM | free for museum members, $10 non-members | RSVP online
Back from the Brink | book talk & signing | Thursday, August 9, 2018 | 6PM | free
Animals in Art | history on tap | Friday, September 7, 2018 | 6PM | $10 members, $12 non-members | RSVP online
Tales of Birds and Beasts | family story time with Albany Public Library | Saturday, September 8, 2018 | 10:30AM | free, but registration recommended
Family Fun Day at the Moo-seum | family day | Saturday, September 22, 2018 | 10AM-4:30PM | included with admission
Pets in America: A History of Our Four-Footed Family Members | lecture | Sunday, September 30 | 2PM | included with admission
Animals | LEGO® building challenge | Sunday, October 7 | 1PM | $5 per person | Space is limited | Registration required
Animals | LEGO® building challenge | Monday, October 8 | 11AM | $5 per person | Space is limited | Registration required
Animals | LEGO® building challenge | Monday, October 8 | 2PM | $5 per person | Space is limited | Registration required
Tales of Birds and Beasts | family story time with Albany Public Library | Saturday, October 13, 2018 | 10:30AM | free, but registration recommended
Tales of Birds and Beasts | family story time with Albany Public Library | Saturday, October 27, 2018 | 10:30AM | free, but registration recommended
Tales of Birds and Beasts | family story time with Albany Public Library | Saturday, November 10, 2018 | 10:30AM | free, but registration recommended
Tales of Birds and Beasts | family story time with Albany Public Library | Saturday, December 1, 2018 | 10:30AM | free, but registration recommended