From the Renaissance until the dawn of Modernism, the idea of a hierarchy of subject matter dominated European art. Paintings of histories—biblical, mythological, and literary stories—and portraits were considered the most important subjects, whereas still lifes, landscapes, and scenes of everyday life were deemed merely “recreational aspects of art.” Explore the philosophical basis for the “hierarchy of the genres” through examples from the collection of the Sarah Campbell Blaffer Foundation.

► Admission is free when you purchase lunch from that day's on-site food truck or from the MFAH location of Cafe Express, so make Lunch + Look part of your routine! General admission is always free for MFAH Members.