Museum acquires permanent collection pieces | Garrett Clipper
AUBURN – The Garrett Museum of Art is pleased to announce the exhibition of three important acquisitions for the museum’s permanent art collection.
The artwork will be on display at Buchtel House, 217 W. 7th St., Auburn on Friday, February 10 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Museum Director Jim Gabbard and Gallery Coordinator and Curator Angela Green will be on hand to discuss the pieces and explain how a permanent collection plays a significant role in the preservation, protection and preservation of historical art.
“Effective management of a permanent collection benefits all future generations and leaves a legacy to preserve the historic history of the art in the collection,” said Green.
Since February 20, 2023 is President’s Day, it is fitting that the first stunning lithograph is of President Abraham Lincoln.
Titled ‘The First Reading of the Emancipation Proclamation Before the Cabinet’ and made circa 1866, this picture shows Lincoln seated in a room in the White House, surrounded by his cabinet, all in Print along the base are marked. This lithograph is from a painting by Francis Bicknell Carpenter and engraved by AH Ritchie. The original painting from which this painting was created was created by Carpenter in 1864 and is currently in the United States Senate Collection.
Representative of the most famous of all Lincoln artworks, and considering that Lincoln lived in Indiana, Spencer County from the ages of 7 to 21, this piece has historical significance for our state.
Marc Chagall was a Russian-French artist and early modernist who worked in a variety of media including painting, drawing, stained glass, stage design, and book illustration. Despite being one of the most renowned artists in the world, he grew up in a home devoid of art.
However, he persevered and painted depictions of God’s creations, which was forbidden by his Judaism. He would have eventually faced Nazi persecution had he not been included in the list of artists who fled Europe, courtesy of the director of the Modern Museum of Art in New York City.
The Garrett Museum of Art has acquired an etching by Marc Chagall from the limited edition of 25 “hand signed in pencil” from 1969. This etching is part of a series of five etchings collectively referred to as Lettre A Marc Chagall.
This acquired piece is number 22 of 25. The five images in this series depict themes and symbols such as the violinist, iconic buildings, dancers, etc. These were common themes in work throughout Chagall’s life. A feast for the eyes of the beholder, this is quite a unique piece in DeKalb County.
The third artwork on display is the museum’s latest acquisition, ‘Canon de Chelly’ by Edward Curtis. This heliogravure print is the first edition of Remastered Originals produced by the Curtis Legacy Foundation of Edward Curtis’ work from the early 1900’s.
This reproduction, made from genuine vintage glass plate negatives from the Curtis Studio, is hand signed and dated on the reverse by John Edward Graybill, Edward Curtis’ great-grandson. Graybill and his wife Coleen were speakers and visitors at the Garrett Museum of Art during Edward Curtis’ 2022 exhibition Shadow Catcher. Canon de Chelly, pronounced de chay, is located in northeastern Arizona, with a memorial , which commemorates it in a vast park on Navajo tribal territory. This iconic photo was taken by Curtis in 1904 and is considered one of his ten most important and impressive works. This is the first night unveiling this rich, unique piece of American history.
“We are excited to add these pieces to our permanent collection,” Gabbard said. “We feel the historical significance and represent an important addition to our current collection.”
There will also be delicious chocolates and candy for sale (Valentine’s Day) and ‘heart’ jewelry provided by our partner organization Indiana Artisan. Sponsor companies include: Bloomington Chocolate Co., Best Chocolate in Town, Abbott’s Candies, J. Evelyn Confections, Monastery Baking Goods and Jewelry by Jill Dunn Designs. We are proud to use all Indiana companies.
The music will be provided by violinist Alex Tsilibes, a musician with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic.
The unveiling of all three artworks will take place on Friday, February 10 from 5pm to 8pm at the Buchtel House, 217 W. Seventh Street, Auburn.
The event is free and open to the public, with all ages welcome. For more information, visit garrettmusemofart.org or call 260-704-5400.
