Unpacking the Indian Corner

Collecting Native American baskets, blankets, and bowls was the fad of the early 20th century. Americans brought these objects home, displaying them in domestic nooks called “Indian corners.” Was this cultural fetishization, or was something else going on? Art historian Elizabeth Hutchinson unpacks the phenomenon and links it to the history of American art.

This annual lecture recognizes a generous multiyear grant from the Terra Foundation for American Art. The Terra Foundation is dedicated to fostering the exploration, understanding, and enjoyment of the visual arts in the United States for national and international audiences. This program is also presented in partnership with The Newberry Library and the Karla Scherer Center for the Study of American Culture at the University of Chicago.