Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

"The Tale of Genji" ("Genji monogatari") is considered the greatest work of Japanese classical literature and a masterpiece of world literature as well. Written just over 1,000 years ago by Lady Murasaki at the Japanese imperial court, the lengthy book tells the lives and loves of the fictional Prince Genji and his descendants. "The Tale" has been reimagined and retold many times since the original story first became popular with readers all over Japan. Perhaps the greatest parody of all, Ryūtei Tanehiko’s "The False Murasaki’s Rustic Genji" ("Nise Murasaki Inaka Genji"), is heavily illustrated with colorful ukiyo-e woodblock prints. In this artwork from "Rustic Genji," we see Lady Asagiri with her baby and maid, all dressed in bright, festive costumes. This print is one more than 30 that were recently put on view in our Japanese Prints Gallery, for an installation focused on "The Tale of Genji." The renovation of the Japanese Prints Gallery was made possible with support from UNIQLO. 🖼️: Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III) (Japanese, 1786–1864), "Ch. 14, Miotsukushi," from the series "The Color Print Contest of a Modern Genji" (1853). Woodblock print; ink and color on paper.

Shirin Neshat's portrait "Roja" is one of several works in her 2012 series "Book of Kings." The artist found inspiration in the stories of participants in the 2011 Arab Spring and protesters representing the Iranian Green Movement in 2009. She inscribes contemporary poetry and verses in Farsi from the 1,000-year-old Persian epic "Shahnameh" (Book of Kings) over her photographs to give her subjects a voice and to create a lyrical homage to past and present Iranian history. The intensity of the subject’s eyes and the delicacy of the calligraphy contribute to the portrait’s majesty. The hand-over-heart gesture also reflects larger questions of identity, patriotism, and nationalism. See Neshat's work on view in our Lower Rotunda alongside other recent photography acquisitions. 📷: Shirin Neshat (Iranian born, born in 1957) "Roja" (2012), photograph, gelatin silver print with India ink. Copyright Shirin Neshat

This is one of the earliest and most spectacular surviving examples of ancient enamel jewelry. The bracelet consists of three hinged segments with gold appliqués and colored enamels. The use of red enamel, which was very difficult to produce, is unique among known jewels made during Nubia's Meroitic Period. Meröe—the Nubian capital at the time—had a sophisticated glass industry; makers experimented with glass formulas and enamels, including the application of clear enamel on gold-foil glass beads and colored enamels on glass vessels. Get a closer look in "Beyond Brilliance: Jewelry Highlights from the Collection," on view in our Kaplan Jewelry Gallery. ✨ Bracelet with image of Hathor (Nubian, Meroitic Period, 250–100 B.C.E.). Gold, enamel.

Don't miss your last chance to experience "Tender Loving Care: Contemporary Art from the Collection" before it closes January 12 ✨ The exhibition explores how contemporary artists explore the concept of care—through their materials, subjects, and creative processes 💖 🎉 On January 3 we're toasting "Tender Loving Care" at MFA First Fridays! Enjoy a signature cocktail inspired by the exhibition, make art, join Spotlight Talks, and dance to music from our resident DJ Dayglow: http://ms.spr.ly/6043obFeH 📷 : @beyondthefro on Instagram

In his time, Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890) was little known in comparison to artists of the Hague School 👨🎨 The group of artists shared a devotion to the depiction of everyday life focusing on farmers, fisherfolk, laborers, mills, canals, and dunes as their subjects. Although the Hague School achieved international recognition, the group's fame faded over the decades. Now on view, “Landscape and Labor: Dutch Works on Paper in Van Gogh’s Time” presents the Hague School at its best through watercolors, prints, and drawings. Check it out on your next visit! 🎨: Anton Mauve (Dutch, 1838–1888), "Digging up a Tree" (about 1860s–80s), Transparent and opaque watercolor

Tonight is the first night of Hanukkah! 🕎 Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights, commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after the defeat of the Seleucid kingdom by the Maccabees in the second century BCE. At the time, according to tradition, a small amount of consecrated olive oil burned miraculously for eight days—the period celebrated today by lighting one flame each night of the holiday. This splendid lamp is embellished with elaborate rococo ornament. Each of the reservoirs across the base held oil and a wick. The columns at the sides are meant to recall the Temple's architecture and support figures of Judith (holding the severed head of Holofernes) and David, two ancient Jewish heroes. The silver lion that holds the tablets of the Ten Commandments and the two figures at the top were probably added in the 19th century. 🕎: Hanukkah Lamp (about 1750), German (Augsburg), silver-gilt

This is how you'll find us for the rest of the week... 😌 🎨: Harper & Brothers (American, founded in 1817), "Harper's, Christmas, 1894" (1894), chromolithograph

Now on view: "Robert Frank: Mary's Book" 📷 "Mary's Book," a scrapbook of photographs Robert Frank made for his first wife Mary Lockspeiser during a stay in Paris, is the centerpiece of this exhibition. The visual and textual diary is accompanied by additional photographs, like this one, taken by the artist which convey a sense of youthful wonder and contemplation. Frank’s time in Paris was a pivotal moment for him, and the images he made there appeared in his books throughout his career: http://ms.spr.ly/6040obF5n 🖼️: Robert Frank (American (born in Switzerland) 1924–2019), "Tulip/Paris From Flowers in Paris series; man holding tulip behind back" (1950), photograph, gelatin silver print. Museum purchase with funds donated by John and Cynthia Reed. © The June Leaf and Robert Frank Foundation.

'Tis the season to visit your favorite work at the MFA ❄️ 🎨: Childe Hassam (American, 1859–1935), "At Dusk" ("Boston Common at Twilight") (1885–86), oil on canvas

Visit the MFA for free on MLK Day! Join us on January 20 for our annual MLK Day Open House, presented in partnership with Citizens. We're offering free admission from 10 am–5 pm for Massachusetts residents, including access to "Georgia O'Keeffe and Henry Moore" on the exhibition's final day. Stop by to celebrate the legacy of Dr. King with art making, performances and gallery tours: http://ms.spr.ly/6040okXzw 🖼️: John Wilson (American, 1922–2015), "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr." (1985), black and white pastel on cream Japanese paper. The largest-ever exhibition of the Roxbury artist's work will be on view at the MFA next year in “Witnessing Humanity: The Art of John Wilson," opening February 8.