The Art Institute of Chicago will open the newly designed Eloise W. Martin Galleries for the Applied Arts of Europe on July 11, 2025. The 4,500-square-foot space will display over 300 objects from the museum's collections of furniture, silver, ceramics, and glass dating from 1600 to 1900, with 40% more objects on view than previously. Highlights include a carved chair made by Indian artisans for a European merchant, rare Chinese porcelain vases mounted in gilded bronze, and a neo-Gothic sideboard by William Burges. The galleries, designed by Barcelona-based architects Barozzi Veiga, follow a chronological narrative exploring design, craftsmanship, and commerce amid geopolitical shifts and colonialism.
This reinstallation matters because it significantly expands public access to the Art Institute's distinguished applied arts collection, emphasizing the global influences and technological innovations that shaped European design over three centuries. By presenting rarely seen pieces alongside new acquisitions and loans, the museum offers a deeper understanding of how European makers responded to imported materials and expanding markets. The project reflects a broader institutional commitment to recontextualizing decorative arts within global history, making it relevant for scholars, collectors, and general audiences interested in the intersection of art, trade, and cultural exchange.