Explore Art
Consider the advantage of examining red-figure pottery from ancient Greece, Italian etchings from the 17th century, or Yaka initiation masks from 20th-century Congo. The truths and puzzles about the origins and existence of these objects complement studies in a variety of disciplines. Medical students ponder the exaggerations of anatomical parts that contribute to the expressive power of Rodin's sculpted figures. Engineering students find insights into their own work by studying the painted abstractions of Diebenkorn or the woven patterns of a Navajo blanket. While at Stanford, question art and its relation to your studies by exploring the Cantor’s indoor and outdoor collections and exhibitions.
The Collection
The Center's collections span history and the globe, ranging from ancient objects made in Asia, the Mediterranean region, Africa, and the Americas to contemporary works by living artists. More than 1500 works are on view in the galleries at any time.
Exhibitions
The Cantor Arts Center hosts a superb selection of special exhibitions.
Outdoor Sculpture
Outdoor sculptures can be found in the Center’s two sculpture gardens and locations across campus.
Collections Database
Not all of the Center's holdings are on view in the galleries. To obtain access to works not on view, you can arrange an appointment.
View Artwork Not in Galleries
To find information about specific artworks, consult the Center's database terminal, located in the reference room of the Art Research Library, Cummings Art Building. This terminal is available to all Stanford students and faculty, as well as to visiting researchers. Individual objects and groups of related works can be searched by artist, place or time of origin, medium, or accession number. To find out more about artwork not on display in the galleries, click here.
How to Use the Collections Database
The Center’s database holds information on over 23,000 objects in the collection. Select “Location” to see whether the item is on view in the galleries. To request artworks not on public view, you will need the object's accession number or museum number, located near the upper left corner of the screen. These numbers usually start with a year (Andy Goldworthy's Stone River accession number is 2001.46), although the original Stanford collection uses a separate system of four- or five-digit numbers. Jot down the number, along with other identifiers for reference, before requesting an appointment to see the item(s). Please note that objects on loan are not included in this database. On gallery labels, these works have a museum number that begins with the letter L.
