On Thursday, March 12, Governor Mike DeWine announced that all Ohio schools were to close for three weeks with a reevaluation after that time period. With all the newfound free time, what better time to take an adventure, not physically of course, but through the internet. 

The J. Paul Getty Museum located in Los Angeles, California showcases hundreds of works from Greek, Roman, Etruscan, European, and international photography from various time periods such as the Neolithic Era, Middle Ages, and even present day. These works include manuscripts, paintings, drawings, and sculptures. From the comfort of one’s own home, they are able to experience some of these artworks. 

The Getty Museum has two online exhibits: “Heaven, Hell, and Dying Well: Images of Death in the Middle Ages” and “Eat, Drink, and Be Merry: Food in the Middle Ages and Renaissance.” 

During the Middle Ages, there was much fear of what life there was after death. The first exhibit displays the thoughts and imagined images of what afterlife held. The morbid imagery of these works provides a first hand insight on those feelings. 

For a more lighthearted experience, the second exhibit presents works relating to food during the Renaissance. Food was thought of to be nourishment for both the body and the soul. Often, images of the preparation and consumption of food show the different cooking techniques, social classes, and popular dishes of that era. 

A virtual tour of the museum is a great way to be productive with this time at home. From older adolescents to adults, this can be an educational experience as it teaches about different cultures and time periods.