“Celestial Conch Shell with Skulls,” Huastec, Veracruz, (Northern) Mexico, 900-1521, conch shell
Now through Jan. 20, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH), presents a unique opportunity for guests to view its latest exhibition, Living with the Gods: Art, Belief, and Peoples. Serving as the museum’s centennial capstone, the exhibit is curated by MFAH Director Gary Tinterow in collaboration with British art historian Neil MacGregor, former director of the British Museum. Revisiting MacGregor’s 2017 BBC radio series and book of the same title, the exhibition features more than 200 objects spanning 3,000 years, showcasing humanity’s enduring quest to understand life, death, and our place in the cosmos. Each piece tells a story of human connection with the divine, offering a rare chance to view sacred objects in their original spiritual context.
“Buddha Enthroned,” Thailand (Khmer), Angkor period, c. 1180–1220, bronze
Recognizing that many masterpieces were originally created for religious purposes, MacGregor and Tinterow aim to present these objects with their full spiritual weight, offering “all visitors — regardless of beliefs — the chance to connect with them,” MacGregor says. This approach establishes the exhibition as a meditation on humanity’s quest for meaning and connection, blending aesthetic and spiritual perspectives.
“Daiitoku Myōō, the Wisdom King of Awe-Inspiring Power,” second half 13th century, Japan, wood with metal, polychrome, gilding, and inlaid crystal eyes
The exhibition features 11 unique galleries, exploring universal themes such as the cosmos, the divine word, life and death, and pilgrimage. Through carefully curated placements and unprecedented loans from institutions including the Prado Museum, the royal residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur, the Ministry of Culture in Greece, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Living with the Gods showcases an immersive quest for meaning across various media.
Among the exhibition’s highlights is the Gangajali, a six-foot silver urn from the Maharaja’s City Palace in Jaipur, crafted in 1894 to hold water from the sacred Ganges River. Considered the world’s largest silver object, it has left India only once before, for the 1902 coronation of King Edward VII. “It was completely thrilling to see it in person,” MacGregor remarks. “The scale is as imposing as the idea.” Its mirror-like surface reflects viewers as they approach, symbolizing water’s purifying essence. Placed beside a 15th-century Christian baptismal font, this pairing underscores a shared reverence for water across religions.
“Mosque Lamp,” Egypt, c. 1319, colorless glass: blown and decorated with polychrome enamels and gold.
Living with the Gods explores universal themes by positioning depictions of Christ and Buddha across from each other, contrasting Buddha’s serene meditation with the empathy of Christ’s suffering. This arrangement invites “even people who aren’t Christian or Buddhist” to engage with “a great artistic vision,” prompting a powerful reflection on humanity and spirituality.
El Greco (Domenikos Theotokopoulos), “Pentecost,” c. 1600, oil on canvas
The exhibition also includes works that capture fire and light. El Greco’s Pentecost, on loan from the Prado Museum in Madrid, illustrates fire’s role as a force of both awe and purification. In another gallery, celestial-themed neon sculptures echo the wonder shared by early civilizations, displayed alongside Phoenician depictions of stars. A contemporary painting by William Johnston portrays a Southern baptism, bridging the spiritual with modern life and continuing the exploration of water’s symbolism. A skull sculpture from Argentina speaks to mortality.
“Bedu Mask,” Nafana, Kulango, or Degha peoples, Côte d’Ivoire or Ghana, c. 1948-62, painted wood
As visitors walk through the galleries, Tinterow and MacGregor invite them to contemplate deep questions: Where do we fit in the universe? How do we reconcile life’s beginnings and endings? How can we find peace amid suffering? “Every belief tradition begins with a story about our place in the cosmos, grounding us as individuals and communities,” MacGregor adds. “The ancient gods of weather, fertility, and war remind us these questions are as old as civilization.”
In lieu of detailed interpretation, the museum aims to spark reflection, inviting viewers to consider the mystery and beauty of these pieces without explanation. “We want people to see these works as invitations to think about our place in a world beyond the every day,” he explains.
Living with the Gods: Art, Beliefs, and Peoples is on view at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston through January 20.
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