Museums are the most enchanting places where the past and the present intermingle briefly. Whether you like photography, paintings, or even artifacts from an era gone by—a museum rekindles your imagination unlike any film or show. However, an even more captivating instance is seeing how varied threads of history make their way to an institution like this, creating a larger portrait of our past. The 200th anniversary of the Brooklyn Museum is one such instance where you’ll get a chance to witness unseen stories in person.
The lead image is by Milt Hinton, courtesy of the Brooklyn Museum. Used with permission.
Titled Breaking the Mold: Brooklyn Museum at 200, the exhibition is one of the significant looks at existing and new artifacts, including paintings, photographs, videos, sculptures, and ceramics. Interestingly, the photography collection has some of the more renowned names whose works have been generously gifted to the Brooklyn Museum for its biennial anniversary. Here’s a quick glimpse at the artists and their works:
Robert Frank
Known for his groundbreaking book, The Americans, Robert Frank is one of the greatest photographers to have ever lived. However, the Brooklyn Museum will not show his other significant project: Coney Island. The 26 photographs have been gifted to the institution by The June Leaf and Robert Frank Foundation and showcase the photographer’s documentation of the place. Captured in 1958 on the July 4th holiday, these photographs complement the existing holdings of Frank’s other projects. Furthermore, the images added to existing material are a major resource of Coney Island’s documentation.
Milt Hinton
A jazz bassist and photographer, Milt Hinton was a significant figure in both fields. His interest in photography led to the documentation of the jazz community unlike any other. Hinton has captured intimate photographs of several musicians, including Count Basie, Cab Calloway, Miles Davis, Billie Holiday, and Sarah Vaughn, who are seen enjoying recording and downtime. His work showcases the contribution of African American musicians and the golden era of jazz.
Harold Feinstein
Having begun his journey at 15, Feinstein’s career spanned over 60 years, where he was seen capturing Coney Island, still life, and much more. At the Brooklyn Museum, visitors will see works such as No. 43, Poppy, Papaver Species, and No. 49, Bearded Iris, Iris Cultivar, which were acquired by the institution in 2000. This group further adds to his collection, where Feinstein showcases his awe for the community he was raised in. The images were a gift and further revealed the photographer’s love for experimentation.
Ayumi Tanaka
Titled Wish You Were Here, the print is the first photograph by a Japanese woman to be a part of the Brooklyn Museum’s Collection. This also makes the Brooklyn Museum the first institution to collect her work in the U.S. The picture shows an archival image of the photographer herself in her mother’s arms in Japan and an image of Coney Island she photographed as an adult. The museum states this is a three-dimensional diorama composed of multiple layers of photo collages assembled and photographed by Tanaka.
Billy Monk
The Catacombs, 23 December 1967 is one of the most iconic images by Billy Monk, which also happens to be the first image acquired by the Brooklyn Museum of the artist. The image adds to the collection of the institution, which showcases and celebrates African queer identities. Born in apartheid South Africa, Billy (whose real name is William) was a bouncer for a club called The Catacombs. In his images from his time there, one can see joy, sorrow, and intimatcvy of a group that is often marginalised even today. Thus, Catacombs, 23 December 1967 is significant for his portrayal of a rich history of those from the often overlooked community.
Jimmy DeSana
Submission is the photographer’s first series, which was showcased at the museum in 2022-2023. Through his colorful, nude photographs, the institution looks at DeSana’s contribution to photography, New York City, and LGBTQ art. The photographs showcase his involvement in punk culture and contributions to mail art, zines, and alternative publications. Furthermore, visitors will also see portraits of art and music icons created during the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
In addition, you will also see the works of Fred McDarrah, Paul McDonough, Paul Pfeiffer, Joel Sternfeld, Irving Penn, Richard Avedon, and Bill Brandt, amongst others. Thus, Breaking the Mold: Brooklyn Museum at 200 is one of the most intricate, detailed exhibits that any photographer must not miss.
The exhibition will be on display from February 28, 2025, to February 22, 2026. For more information, visit the museum’s website.