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Joseph Luzzi, professor of literature at Bard College, explores the literary elements of the first book of the Bible, Genesis, and then considers its afterlife in two major literary works: John Milton’s brilliant epic, Paradise Lost, and John Steinbeck’s East of Eden, a modern-day classic. Luzzi explains the rhetorical structures of the Bible and provides a sense of how its brilliant storytelling techniques shaped the development of modern literature.
The 49th season of the Smithsonian Chamber Music Society features musical masterpieces from the early 17th century to the middle of the 20th, played on some of the world’s most highly prized musical instruments in an 8-concert series. This concert features music of Franz Schubert with the Smithsonian Chamber Players.
Designing a garden, whether small or large, means considering many factors. Ecologist Shaun McCoshum offers innovative conservation and ecological ideas to create a garden in a way that he says can help restore broken natural processes and build resilient ecosystems. While native plants are essential, McCoshum believes it’s also important to understand the needs of animals, their habitats, and how natural systems work together.
Standing at the geographic intersection of several cultures, Croatia has been coveted by various foreign powers for centuries, with Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, and Ottomans all leaving their mark. Aneta Georgievska-Shine, a scholar of Renaissance and Baroque art, examines the artistic legacy of this long and tangled history by exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site city of Dubrovnik and other significant sites. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)
From preserving his father’s family photographs and his own teenage documentaries of outdoor adventures through his youth in Paris to his physical breakdown in Africa and Cuba, Ernest Hemingway’s process served as his magnetic north throughout his eventful life. Drawing on his personal papers and private photograph collection, Hemingway biographer Hilary Justice recreates how Hemingway worked, illustrating the writer’s process: Experience sparks inspiration, and creativity meets craft in service of “one true sentence.”
Giraffes maintain complex social systems: They form lifelong friendships, establish babysitting crèches, and follow matriarchal leaders. In the past 30 years, however, giraffe populations have declined by roughly 40 percent, placing them at risk of extinction. Wildlife conservation biologist Fred Bercovitch explores the hidden social lives of giraffes.
Casa Buonarroti in Florence offers an intimate perspective on Michelangelo’s life and legacy, distinct from his monumental public works. The house museum is a carefully constructed site of family memory, shaped by Michelangelo’s descendants in the 17th century. Through Casa Buonarroti’s architecture, decorative programs, and collection of early works, Italian Renaissance art expert Rocky Ruggiero reveals how examples of artistic genius were curated within a domestic setting. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)
Rachel Carson rose to prominence through poetic nonfiction celebrating the natural world, especially the oceans, drawing on her marine zoology background and years with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Her articles in major magazines and bestselling books earned her the title “Biographer of the Sea.” Her final work, Silent Spring, reshaped public understanding of environmental harm and came to define her legacy. Environmental educator Rebecca Henson examines Carson’s writing process, the book’s cultural impact, and the ecological vision that guided her career.
Pull out your sketchbook and pencil to take an artful break as you explore the Smithsonian while drawing objects from vast and fascinating collections.
Composers from the countries situated around the Baltic, North, and Norwegian seas have long held a cherished place in concert halls. Edvard Grieg, Jean Sibelius, Carl Nielsen, and Arvo Pärt are among those who shaped the understanding of their varied cultures. Their music explores mysterious folklores, vast frozen land and seascapes, spiritual beliefs, and turbulent histories. In a 4-session series, speaker and concert pianist Rachel Franklin uses live piano demonstrations and film clips to explore both well- and lesser-known masterpieces from the North.
