Exhibitions

Birds & Beasts: The Scary, Magical, and Adorable Animals of the Albany Institute

July 14, 2018–December 30, 2018

“Join or Die” Cartoon

Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette

May 9, 1754

Woodcut on paper

Courtesy of Library of Congress

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.

Exhibition Support

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.

Exhibition Events & Programs

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