Museum of Biblical Art (New York City) facts for kids
The Museum of Biblical Art (MOBIA) was a special museum in New York. It closed its doors in 2015. MOBIA was not a place that collected art. Instead, it focused on showing how the Bible has influenced art from Jewish and Christian traditions.
The museum started in 1997 as a small art gallery. It was located inside the American Bible Society building in New York. On May 12, 2005, it became its own independent museum.
MOBIA wanted to be a top place for learning about art and the Bible. It was important to them to stay neutral and not take sides on religious beliefs. Even though it grew from the American Bible Society, MOBIA was not a religious group. It aimed to start conversations about how religion has shaped art. It did this by offering cool exhibits and learning programs for visitors.
In April 2015, the museum shared sad news. It would close in June because it could not find a new home. MOBIA had been paying only $1 in rent for its space. This was because it was in the American Bible Society's building. But the American Bible Society was moving to Philadelphia. This meant MOBIA could no longer stay there.
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Where Was the Museum?
The Museum of Biblical Art was on the second floor. It was inside the American Bible Society's main building. This building was at the corner of Broadway and 61st Street. It was located between Columbus Circle and Lincoln Center. This area is known as the Upper West Side in Manhattan, New York.
Inside the Museum
The main art display area was about 2,500 square feet (232 square meters). This space was made after a lot of work to fix it up. The museum also had an education center. This center was about 1,100 square feet (102 square meters). It was used for talks, music shows, and activities for kids. The main architects who designed these spaces were Randall Goya and Sara Lopergolo. They were from G&L Architects in New York.
Why MOBIA Closed
In 2015, the American Bible Society decided to sell its New York building. They planned to move to Philadelphia. Because of this, MOBIA started looking for a new place. Sadly, they could not find a suitable location. So, the museum closed for good on June 14, 2015.
Amazing Art Exhibitions
The Museum of Biblical Art usually put on four new art shows each year. These shows explored how faith—or sometimes the lack of it—connected with art.
Early Exhibitions
MOBIA's very first show was called "Coming Home!: Self-taught Artists, the Bible, and the American South." It featured 95 artworks by 73 different artists. This exhibit looked at how the Bible influenced art made by self-taught artists in the American South. It showed how their Christian beliefs shaped their art.
Later, there was "The Next Generation: Contemporary Expressions of Faith." This show featured modern religious art and artists. It was done with a group called Christians in the Visual Arts. Another exhibit was "Let There Be Light: Oil Lamps from the Holy Land." This show displayed old clay oil lamps. They were borrowed from the Bible Lands Museum in Jerusalem.
The King James Bible Show
One important exhibition was "On Eagles' Wings: The King James Bible Turns 400." This show explored the history of the King James Bible. This book is seen as a masterpiece of English writing. The exhibit looked at how this Bible was translated and published. It also showed how it has inspired many people over time.
The Painter of Jerusalem
"The Land of Light and Promise: 50 Years Painting Jerusalem and Beyond, Ludwig Blum (1891-1974)" featured the artist Ludwig Blum. He was known as the "Painter of Jerusalem." Blum moved to Palestine in 1923 from what is now the Czech Republic. He was a trained painter and a veteran of the First World War.
Blum painted the Middle East, especially the Holy Land. He created large landscape scenes and smaller street scenes. He showed Palestine, and later Israel, with great love for his new home. He painted Jewish, Christian, and Muslim places. His art usually did not focus on religious messages.
Other Notable Shows
Other exhibitions included "Walls Speak: The Narrative Art of Hildreth Meière." There was also "Finding Comfort in Difficult Times: A Selection of Soldiers' Bibles." Another popular show was "Louis C. Tiffany and the Art of Devotion."
Final Exhibition
For its very last show, the museum had its biggest crowds ever. This exhibit featured 15th-century sculptures. These amazing pieces were by artists like Donatello, Brunelleschi, Nanni di Banco, and Luca della Robbia. They came from the Florence Cathedral and had never been seen in the United States before.
