Exhibitions

The Bonfire of Liberties: Censorship of the Humanities
 

Santo Domingo y los Albignese, by Pedro Berruguete. Courtesy Art Resources, New York City.

The Bonfire of Liberties: Censorship of the Humanities addresses the difficult topic of censorship. Censorship has been practiced for nearly as long as there have been materials to censor. The Bonfire of Liberties gives an overview of censorship in its various guises over time. Furthermore, it examines the struggle between those who want to censor difficult, controversial, and revolutionary material from sensitive viewers and those who want to protect the freedoms of all people to read, view, and think for themselves. Viewers may be surprised to learn just how many of their favorite books and plays have been censored at some point in history.

Exhibition

Highlighting the impact of censorship as applied to the humanities through the ages, The Bonfire of Liberties: Censorship of the Humanities emphasizes the relevance of censorship to a contemporary audience. Each panel examines a specific subject within censorship through quotes, images, and informative text. Panel topics include: 

• Forms of censorship
• Public demands for censorship
• Freedom to read
• Religious censorship
• Censorship of philosophy
• Drama and theatre
• Literature
• Children’s books
• Art and art history
• Biography and autobiography
• World history
• American history
• Women and other minorities
• Censorship of the Bible, Shakespeare, and Huckleberry Finn

The Bonfire of Liberties is an exhibition by Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Exhibition Format

*Rental fees are based primarily on the cost of shipping. Prices may vary based on current fuel surcharges or venue location within the state of Texas. Out-of-state rentals are priced on an individual basis. Please call for a rental fee quote specific to your venue.

Print Materials

A specified number of print materials are provided with this exhibition at no additional cost. Additional copies of these materials may be obtained for a nominal fee: 

• 100 brochures with an illustrated essay on the causes and effects of censorship
• 50 copies of censorship reading list 
• 10 posters

Publicity Materials

Press release

The Bonfire of Liberties press release

Publicity image

A publicity image is available for promoting this exhibition at your venue. Please contact the exhibitions coordinator to request an electronic file of this image. Please allow 2-3 business days for the exhibitions coordinator to process your request. 

Humanities Texas logos 

Venues may request a CD with the Humanities Texas logo in a number of electronic file formats for use when developing print and online promotional materials. Logo files are also available for download on the logo page.