The Big World: Alternative Landscapes in the Modern Era

August 30, 2023–June 15, 2025
The Wolfsonian–FIU @ 1001 Washington Avenue

The Big World, focusing on depictions of the land in The Wolfsonian's collection, challenged expectations of landscape art as it went beyond bucolic scenes to reveal changing vistas of the modern era rendered in paintings, the decorative arts, and even a grand piano. The exhibition charted a course through the end of the 19th century and into the first half of the 20th, outlining the story of global growth and shifting ideas about the world around us—from pristine nature, to its radical alteration in modern urban and industrial centers, to panoramas ruined by war and environmental disregard.

Starting November 21, 2024, creative response labels written by students from FIU professor John Bailly's Honors College class were added to the galleries. Inspired by select landscapes in The Big World, their writing offered new perspectives on the exhibition's themes.

Presented in connection with Bridge Deconstruction Site  andThe Breath Eaters.

Explore the Exhibition

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Object Highlights

View or download the full exhibition checklist.

	Antipasto service, 1929–30 Bruno Munari (Italian, 1907–1998), designer Torido Mazzotti (Italian, 1895–1988) for Casa Giuseppe Mazzotti Albisola, Italy Glazed earthenware 4 5/8 x 18 1/2 in (11.7 x 47 cm) diameter, overall The Wolfsonian–FIU, The Mitchell Wolfson, Jr. Collection, 83.7.34 a–g
	Painting, Vaagö-Lofoten, c. 1913 Fidus, pseudonym for Hugo Höppener (German, 1868–1948) Norway Oil on canvas 24 x 47 1/2 in (61 x 120.7 cm) The Wolfsonian–FIU, The Mitchell Wolfson, Jr. Collection, TD1988.102.1
	Painting, La bataille pour la ville [The Battle for the City], 1944 Raymond Daussy (French, 1918–2010) Paris Oil on canvas 51 1/2 x 77 1/2 in (130.8 x 196.9 cm) The Wolfsonian–FIU, The Mitchell Wolfson, Jr. Collection, TD1994.176.1