Lowe Art Museum
Founded in 1950, the Lowe was built in 1950–52 thanks to a donation from philanthropists Joe and Emily Lowe, and it has since become Miami’s premier art museum. More than 13,000 pieces showcase many of the world’s most important artistic traditions. Collectors keep on donating works so that even more expansion to the galleries is now necessary to display them all. Nevertheless, the most significant works are always on display, unless on loan to other museums.
- 1301 Stanford Drive
- Tel: 305 284 3535
- www.lowemuseum.org
- 10am–5pm Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat; noon–7pm Thu; noon–5pm Sun
- Closed Mon and national holidays
- Adm $7; concessions (students and seniors) $5; children under 12 free
The Egyptian collection is tiny but fascinating, especially the Coptic textiles, several intriguing fragments of which are displayed in frames on the wall. There is also a jewel-like portrait sarcophagus mask, intended to resemble the features of the deceased.
Classical sculpture is represented by several marble carvings, including a Roman portrait bust of a matron. One of the best objects is a 6th-century BC black-figure krater, depicting Apollo, Artemis, and Leto.
One of the Museum’s strongest collections, featuring magnificent Chinese Neolithic ceramics, as well as bronze and jade pieces, and other ceramics from Neolithic times to the 20th century. There is also a strong representation of classic, folk and tribal art from India.
An excellent collection covers all eras and areas, from about 1500 BC to the 16th century. A Mayan pot with a jaguar and human bone design is very forceful. The silver disk from 14th-century Peru is a very rare piece.
A Seminole shoulder bag is the pride of this collection, beautifully executed using thousands of tiny, colored-glass trade beads. The Najavo, Apache, and Hopi art forms include textiles, pottery, basketry, and kachina dolls.
The small but exquisite collection of mostly Italian paintings includes works by Tintoretto, Dosso Dossi, Palma Vecchio, Bicci di Lorenzo, and Cozzarelli. There are also two lovely terra-cottas by Andrea della Robbia.
This period in European art is epitomized here by painters from many countries, such as Jacob Jordaens, Lucas Cranach the Elder, Jusepe de Ribera, and Francesco Guardi.
Important holdings of 20th-century art by Hispanic artists include Fernando Botero of Colombia and Carlos Alfonzo, who was born in Cuba.
Works as diverse as the 16th-century cast bronze ring of the Yoruba people, depicting ritual decapitation, a Nok terra-cotta figure, and an Elpe or Ngbe society emblem assemblage all have an undeniable potency.
Some extraordinary works on permanent display include Americanoom by Chryssa, Modular Painting in Four Panels by Roy Lichtenstein, Le Neveu de Rameau by Frank Stella, Football Player by Duane Hanson, and Rex by Deborah Butterfield.
The Lowe is located in the middle of the campus of the University of Miami, which is in southern Coral Gables and is easily accessible by the Miami Metrorail – just follow the signs. There is no particular order in which you are expected to visit the collections. Remember that several of the galleries are always given over to special temporary exhibitions.
