Rienzi, the MFAH house museum for European decorative arts, presents special exhibitions that are included with general admission.

Until the late 19th century, apprenticeship was the primary way people were trained in craft trades in Europe and the Americas. Formal education was mainly out of reach for many children from middle-class and low-income families. Apprenticeship training—a legal contract between a student and a master craftsperson—became an advantageous alternative to traditional education.

Apprenticeships were regulated and monitored by European craft guilds established during the medieval period to control craft production. Their influence extended beyond the training period, and apprentices were generally closely linked to master craftspeople through cultural and social ties, including intermarriage. Within the traditional guild system, women, immigrants, Indigenous and enslaved peoples, and children from low-income families were often excluded. With the onset of the Industrial Revolution, informal apprenticeships were introduced to adapt to innovations and technologies. These varied experiences resulted in a diverse network of skilled craftspeople, both anonymous and renowned.

Skillful Hands: The Apprentice in Europe / November 6, 2024–July 13, 2025