The Sacred and the Profane

The Sacred and the Profane is a selection of works of art from the Tucson Museum of Art’s permanent collection of European art from pre-1920 that explores veneration, everyday utility, and creative expression. 

Ranging from paintings, works on paper, and sculpture to utilitarian and decorative objects, this exhibition examines the blurred boundaries in art between sacredness and the commonplace. Objects that depict or aid in our daily lives can be elevated beyond mere purpose to become prized representations of the divine, while others imbued with sacred content can, over time, become coveted for their singular beauty. Works on display reveal the significance of religious myth, symbolism, and ritual within life and culture. Among the artists represented in this exhibition are Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijin, Johann Georg Edlinger, William Adolphe Bouguereau, Adolf van der Venne, and Francisco Jose de Goya y Lucientes.​

Credit: Overview from museum website