The word “homosexual” was first coined in Europe in 1869. Taking this date as its starting point, “The First Homosexuals” examines same-sex desire as it was understood, represented, and explored once it became a newly recognized identity category. Curated with the collaboration of 23 international scholars, and presenting more than 100 multimedia works from public and private collections around the world, this groundbreaking show is the first to survey the earliest consciously queer art. A sequel, planned for 2025, will travel internationally. —Nyla Gilstrap

Holiday pause: The museum will be closed December 23 to 31, and reopens January 6, 2023.