The Richard H. Driehaus Museum

The Richard H. Driehaus Museum The Richard H. Driehaus Museum explores the art, architecture, and design of the late 19th century to the present.
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The collection and exhibitions are presented in an immersive experience within the restored Nickerson Mansion, completed in 1883.

We’ve got a lot to celebrate this year: the Museum is turning 18, the Murphy Auditorium is hitting 100, and the United S...
05/29/2026

We’ve got a lot to celebrate this year: the Museum is turning 18, the Murphy Auditorium is hitting 100, and the United States turns 250!

On June 20th, travel back in time with us for a day of free, family-friendly fun including birthday treats, Gilded-Age-inspired crafts and custom caricatures.

As a special highlight, guests will have the unique opportunity to cast their vote (we are turning 18, after all!) on an object to be featured in the Museum and enjoy early access to new Museum merchandise.

Stay tuned for more info on the candidates for next object on display!

05/27/2026

In this print, titled “Very Slippy-Weather,” James Gillray captures the buzz of 18th-century London, where satire unfolded in public view. Here, crowds gather at the window of Hannah Humphrey’s print shop, absorbed in Gillray’s latest works, turning the street into a place for observation, gossip, and critique.

At the center of the print, an elderly gentleman slips on the icy pavement, falling hard and losing his hat, wig, coins, and s***f box in the process. While a barking dog notices the man, the crowd remains fixated on the prints.

By including his work, his publisher’s shop, and his audience in this piece, Gillray blurs the line between artist, seller, and spectator. “Very Slippy-Weather” transforms a winter mishap into a witty reflection on distraction, spectacle, and the impact of Gillray’s own work.

Listen to Executive Director Lisa Key and co-curators Silvia Beltrametti and William Laffan discuss this piece, and download the app to explore the full ‘Ink & Outrage’ audio guide.

Image: James Gillray (1756-1815), ‘Very Slippy-Weather’, Published in London by Hannah Humphrey (1750-1818), February 10, 1808.

Restoring the Nickerson Mansion was a five-year process involving a gifted team of architects, conservators, craftsmen, ...
05/22/2026

Restoring the Nickerson Mansion was a five-year process involving a gifted team of architects, conservators, craftsmen, and technicians from more than forty specialist firms.

Swipe to discover how these skilled artisans brought our Maher Gallery stained glass dome back to life 👉

Image 1 by Alexander Vertikoff, Image 10 by Alex Brescanu

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“Caricature is the intellectual vehicle that speaks truth to power in the fastest, funniest, and most piercing way possi...
05/19/2026

“Caricature is the intellectual vehicle that speaks truth to power in the fastest, funniest, and most piercing way possible.” — ‘Ink & Outrage’ co-curator Silvia Beltrametti

Now open at the Driehaus Museum: ‘Ink & Outrage: 18th-Century Satirical Prints in London & Dublin’ explores how artists used humor, exaggeration, and graphic brilliance to challenge politics, culture, and society in Georgian London & Dublin. Presenting original designs alongside “pirated” reproductions, the exhibition sparks conversations about originality, copyright, and mass reproduction that feel especially relevant today.

Don’t miss the exhibition the called “a treat for lovers of history and humor alike!” Read the full Tribune article & get your tickets today at the link in bio 🔗

Images:
1. Co-curators Silvia Beltrametti & William Laffan, John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune
2. Les Invisibles, After James Gillray
3. Matrimonial Harmonics, James Gillray, Published by Hannah Humphrey, circa 1805, Loaned by the O’Brien Foundation
4. The Union Club, James Gillray, 1801, Published by Hannah Humphrey, January 21, 1801

05/14/2026

We’re thrilled to share another round of exciting events at the Museum! Join us to

🌸 celebrate spring with our first-ever morning yoga class

🚪launch the brand new photography book from

🎶 enjoy Brazilian music with Tempero Brasileiro

🧱 explore the Driehaus Museum neighborhood through the lens of the humble brick

🏘️ discover how Chicago became the alleyway capital of the country

🌟 learn about Gilded Age history with Chicago’s prominent arts & culture leaders

🎼 hear vibrant chamber music by black q***r composers with

Don’t miss out; reserve your tickets here: https://driehausmuseum.org/programs

05/07/2026

‘Brendan Fernandes: In the Round’ continues this weekend with three performances featuring local artists Laura Baumeister (.baumeister) and Jenna Weatherbie (.nicole).

The second week of ’ residency culminates in the world premiere of ‘Inosculate’, a new work Baumeister and Weatherbie recently completed after nearly two years of collaborative development.

Visit the link in bio to learn more and reserve your spot! 🔗

'Brendan Fernandes: In the Round' returns to the Museum this week! This week of Fernandes' genre-defying residency featu...
05/04/2026

'Brendan Fernandes: In the Round' returns to the Museum this week!

This week of Fernandes' genre-defying residency features a series of free public programs including the premiere of 'Inosculate' by Jenna Weatherbie and Laura Baumeister and the second iteration of Fernandes' work, 'Score for the Murphy Auditorium'.

Visit the link in bio to read Graham Meyer's article and explore the full schedule of programs at driehausmuseum.org.

Image: Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

📣 Opening in 2 weeks 📣This summer, the Driehaus Museum presents 'Ink & Outrage: 18th‑Century Satirical Prints in London ...
05/01/2026

📣 Opening in 2 weeks 📣

This summer, the Driehaus Museum presents 'Ink & Outrage: 18th‑Century Satirical Prints in London & Dublin'. The exhibition explores the wit and graphic brilliance of Georgian‑era satirical prints that lampooned civics, society, and culture through bold image and text.

Placing original works by leading London artists alongside pirated Irish copies, 'Ink & Outrage' sparks conversations about originality, reproduction, and the enduring power of satire.

Visit the link in bio to learn more!

✨Now on View✨Two powerful contemporary pieces have returned to the Museum:Chicago artist Nate Young’s 'Untitled' (2020) ...
04/30/2026

✨Now on View✨

Two powerful contemporary pieces have returned to the Museum:

Chicago artist Nate Young’s 'Untitled' (2020) reflects on migration, memory, and visibility. Originally created for our 'A Tale of Today' series, the work draws from Young’s family history during the Great Migration. Young pairs detailed woodcraft with haunting horse bones that surface buried narratives within the home’s historic architecture.

Nearby, Luftwerk’s 'Konstellation' (2024) invites guests to look up. Inspired by the Museum's early electrical innovations, the sculptural installation maps the transition from gas to electric light and transforms historic fixtures into a glowing constellation.

Together, these works open a dialogue between past and present, craftsmanship and innovation, and memory and illumination.

📍 Visit them now on the Third Floor of the Museum

Credits:
Nate Young (American, b. 1981), 'Untitled', 2020, Courtesy of the artist and Monique Meloche Gallery. Photo by Michael Tropea.

Luftwerk, (Petra Bachmaier and Sean Gallero), 'Konstellation', 2024,
The Richard H. Driehaus Museum Collection. Photo by .mov.

Our May Market vendors are here! Shop vintage jewelry, local artisans, and other goods from 25+ vendors. While you shop,...
04/22/2026

Our May Market vendors are here! Shop vintage jewelry, local artisans, and other goods from 25+ vendors.

While you shop, enjoy craft coffee from Chicago Brew Crew and vegan treats from Vulgar Vegan 🌷

Visit the link in bio for more info!
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Celebrate spring with a morning of movement, relaxation, and inspiration🌷This program begins with a one-hour guided yoga...
04/17/2026

Celebrate spring with a morning of movement, relaxation, and inspiration🌷

This program begins with a one-hour guided yoga class in our Murphy Auditorium led by certified instructor Amy Baker. Her approach focuses on mindful, intentional movement that builds strength, flexibility, and mental clarity.

After class, enjoy light breakfast bites and a tour of the Museum just for program participants. Museum admission is included and all levels are welcome!

✨TICKET GIVEAWAY✨
Like & share this post and tag your yoga buddy in the comments for a chance to win a pair of tickets to this event!

📅 Entries close at 11:59 pm on Thursday, April 30
🌟Winner announced May 1

Address

50 E Erie Street
Chicago, IL
60611

Opening Hours

Wednesday 11am - 7pm
Thursday 11am - 5pm
Friday 11am - 5pm
Saturday 11am - 5pm
Sunday 11am - 5pm

Telephone

+13124828933

Website

https://linktr.ee/driehausmuseum

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