Exhibition
From February 2 to June 16, 2013, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts will present for the first time and exclusively in Canada, the exhibition Peru: Kingdoms of the Sun and Moon: Identities and Conquest in the Early, Colonial and Modern Periods. Conceptualized, organized, produced and toured by the MMFA, this exhibition will display an extensive collection of pre-Columbian treasures and masterpieces from the colonial era to Indigenism, including over 100 pieces that have never before been seen outside of Peru. With more than 350 works of art (paintings, sculptures, gold and silver ornaments, pottery, photograph, works on paper, textiles and videos) from almost fifty public and private collections, most of them from Peru but also from Canada, United States, France and Germany, this exhibition covers 3,000 years of history, including archaeological discoveries in recent decades.
The organization of this exhibition would not have been possible without the valued support of the Peruvian government and the city of Lima.
Exhibition layout
- Section 1 explains how archaeology rewrote the national history beginning with the discovery, in 1911, of Machu Picchu to the recent restitution of artworks;
- Section 2 focuses on the myths and rituals of the early civilizations of the Andes, highlighting their role in forming and shaping Peruvian identity during the pre-Columbian era;
- Section 3 illustrates the perpetuation, concealment, and hybridization of the indigenous culture during the colonial period;
- The last section highlights the rediscovery of this culture in the 20th century and the revalorization of ancient symbols of identity in contemporary Peruvian iconography.
Trilingual audioguide
- Available in three languages: French, English and Spanish.
- Designed to encourage exchanges between young and old, the audioguide includes commentary for adults and short stories for children.
- NEW : The audioguide is accessible for $5 on the Museum equipment or on your smart device via the iTunes App Store and the Google Play store. It can be downloaded in advance or when you arrive at the Museum.
Publication
The exhibition is accompanied by a 380-page catalogue co-published in English and French editions by the MMFA and 5 Continents Editions in Milan.
This fully illustrated volume (450 illustrations) comprises essays by eminent curators and specialists and interviews with leading figures and experts on Peruvian archaeology, art history and literature like the novelist Mario Vargas Llosa.
This book, which will be distributed internationally, will help enrich the public’s knowledge and appreciation of Peruvian art in all its splendour.
On sale at the Museum Boutique and Bookstore.
Exhibition travel dates
The MMFA will tour Peru: Kingdoms of the Sun and the Moon: Identities and Conquest in the Early, Colonial and Modern Periods to the Seattle Art Museum, where it will be presented from October 17, 2013 to January 5, 2014.
Activities & Events
Many free activities and events related to the exhibition are available for everyone. Have a look to the categories below for more details and get ready to discover the fascinating universe of Peru!
