Galleons and Globalization

Last week had the good fortune of getting a private tour of the Thatcher Gallery's latest exhibit Galleons and Globalization, led by the very knowledgeable and always entertaining Fr. Tom Lucas, SJ. He is an art and architecture professor as well as the director of the Thatcher Gallery. Click here for a video of Fr. Lucas presenting on Galleons and Globalization.

Fr. Lucas spent several years carefully organizing the current exhibit, which explores the relationship of the Spanish Pacific Empire and the resulting intercultural exchange between California, Mexico and the Pacific Orient. Through the 125 plus thoughtfully chosen items in the gallery, we saw how sea commerce in the 16th through 19th centuries became the vehicle for developing a rich cultural exchange.

Fr. Tom Lucas explaining how important silk was to the Spanish traders.

Beautiful tabernacles borrowed from California missions.

Items included Ming Dynasty china recovered from sunken ships, original tabernacles recovered from the old California missions, and priceless ivory depictions of the life of Christ. The Thatcher Gallery borrowed these rare artifacts from several international museums, organizations, and private collections. The result is breathtaking!

Definitely stop by the Thatcher Gallery in Gleeson Library for a chance to see the collection for yourself. The exhibit runs through December 17.