Art News

Clark Art Institute Offers Exhibition of Highly Mysterious Works of Art

WILLIAMSTOWN, MA.- Since its invention in the first half of the nineteenth century, photography has been used for documentary purposes, faithfully recording the details of archaeological artifacts, works of art, and natural specimens. Appearing to be no more than bearers of information or certificates of authenticity, many such photographs are not as simple as they might seem at first glance. The exhibition Material Witnesses: Photographs of Things considers how documentary images, while retaining a certain “visual truth,” are also highly mysterious works of art. Material Witnesses is on view at the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute January 15 through April 11. Drawn from the collections