MOBIA was founded five years ago around a deceivingly simple premise: the Bible is the single most important book in the history of western art.  It follows that knowledge of the Bible is essential to visual literacy. What does this mean? Simply put, it means that by understanding the biblical context of a work of art (whether it’s the narrative illustrated in a painting, the symbolism of a Havdalah candle holder, or the devotional function of a chalice) we can understand the work more fully. A Chagall painting of the Crucifixion is not just an original composition by a 20th century master; it is also a search for religious roots and a cry against discrimination and injustice.

At MOBIA, we offer the tools to help decode the symbols and meanings that connect works of art with biblical religions. And we believe that context can give different knowledge and with it, deeper appreciation. Art can be looked at superficially, in a short second of “how lovely, how touching, or how disturbing, let’s be on our way,” or more in depth, going beyond the surface and the composition and even the subject matter as it is immediately apparent to the eye. At MOBIA, we invite the latter type of seeing by folding back the layers of meaning and revealing the symbols behind the story and the context for a work of art. And we invite you to take your time to see, engage, and be delighted, whether it’s at our museum on Broadway or on our website.