The Newberry has received a 2019 prize and commendation from Sotheby’s for Renaissance Invention, an exhibition opening in April of 2020. Featuring Newberry collections along with artifacts from the Art Institute of Chicago and the Adler Planetarium, Renaissance Invention examines a tumultuous era of change, disruption, and technological development.

Often called “the Heartland” or “flyover country,” the Midwest tends to be characterized as a homogeneous, barren space between the American coasts. This exhibition challenges long-standing narratives about the Midwest, exploring the confluence of peoples and environmental conditions that has defined the region and made it unique.

An agreement between the Newberry and the Eastland Disaster Historical Society will bring a comprehensive collection of photographs, family records, and historical documents to the Newberry. Together, these materials tell a vivid story about the Eastland Disaster of 1915, the 844 people who tragically died in the event, and the impact it had on their families and the city of Chicago at large.

The historical significance of a 1545 letter penned by Michelangelo lies less in what the letter says than in how it was written. What does Michelangelo’s style of handwriting reveal about his art and self-image in Renaissance Italy?