Museum of Biblical Art (New York City)
| Company type | Non-collecting museum |
|---|---|
| Industry | Art museum |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Defunct | 2015 |
| Headquarters | Manhattan, New York City , United States |
Area served | New York City |
| Owner | American Bible Society |
The Museum of Biblical Art (MOBIA), once located in Manhattan, New York City, ceased operations in 2015.
Established in 1997 as an art gallery within the American Bible Society headquarters, MOBIA evolved into an independent entity on May 12, 2005. It functioned as a non-collecting museum devoted to examining the influence of the Bible on both Jewish and Christian artistic traditions.
Although financially supported by the American Bible Society, MOBIA maintained a secular approach and was not affiliated with any religious institution. Its mission focused on encouraging conversations about the impact of religion on visual art through curated exhibitions and educational programs.
In April 2015, following the inability to find a replacement venue after the American Bible Society relocated to Philadelphia, MOBIA announced its closure. The museum had benefited from a nominal $1 annual rent at its previous location, an arrangement that ended with the society's departure.
Building
Situated on the second floor of the American Bible Society’s building at Broadway and 61st Street in Manhattan’s Upper West Side, MOBIA featured a principal exhibition area that underwent significant renovation. This space also included an education center designed for lectures and special events. The architectural redesign was led by Randall Goya and Sara Lopergolo of G&L Architects.
When plans emerged for the American Bible Society to sell its property and move in 2015, MOBIA endeavored to secure a new facility but ultimately was unable to do so, resulting in its permanent shutdown on June 14, 2015.
Exhibitions
Each year, MOBIA showcased four exhibitions exploring the dynamic relationship between faith and art.
Its debut exhibition, titled "Coming Home!: Self-taught Artists, the Bible, and the American South," displayed ninety-five pieces created by seventy-three artists, reflecting evangelical Christianity’s influence on Southern folk art.
Later exhibitions included "The Next Generation: Contemporary Expressions of Faith," developed in collaboration with Christians in the Visual Arts, as well as "Let There Be Light: Oil Lamps from the Holy Land," which exhibited ancient clay oil lamps originating from Jerusalem’s Bible Lands Museum.
The show "On Eagles' Wings: The King James Bible Turns 400" delved into the history and cultural significance of this renowned translation, tracing its lineage back to earlier texts such as the Bishops' Bible of 1568.
"The Land of Light and Promise: 50 Years Painting Jerusalem and Beyond, Ludwig Blum (1891-1974)" featured works by Ludwig Blum—dubbed the "Painter of Jerusalem"—portraying Middle Eastern scenery and landmarks with cultural nuance.
Additional notable presentations encompassed "Walls Speak: The Narrative Art of Hildreth Meière," "Finding Comfort in Difficult Times: A Selection of Soldiers' Bibles," and "Louis C. Tiffany and the Art of Devotion."
MOBIA’s final exhibition attracted unprecedented attendance by bringing to the United States for the first time 15th-century sculptures from Florence Cathedral created by masters such as Donatello, Brunelleschi, Nanni di Banco, and Luca della Robbia.
See also
External links
- Biblical art
- Upper West Side
- Religious museums in New York (state)
- Museums in Manhattan
- Defunct art museums and galleries in Manhattan
- Art museums and galleries established in 2005
- 2005 establishments in New York City
- Broadway (Manhattan)
- Bible-themed museums, zoos, and botanical gardens
- Defunct museums in New York City
- 2015 disestablishments in New York (state)
- Art museums and galleries disestablished in 2015