Editor's note: The Portland
Museum of Art provided source material to Resource
Library for the following article or essay. If you have questions or
comments regarding the source material, please contact the Portland Museum
of Art directly through either this phone number or web address:
-
American Moderns: Masterworks
on Paper from the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, 1910-1960
June 24 - September 12, 2010
This summer, the Portland
Museum of Art presents an important and visually stunning exhibition of
works on paper by nationally recognized artists such as Edward Hopper, John
Marin, and Georgia O'Keeffe. American Moderns: Masterworks on Paper from
the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, 
1910-1960, on view June 24 through September 12, 2010, is the first in-depth
examination and presentation of the Atheneum's American modernist works
on paper-a collection recognized as one of the nation's finest. It is a
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see paintings by Edward Hopper depicting
scenes of Maine in the state. (left: John Marin (United States, 1870-1953),
Big Wood Island, 1914, opaque and transparent watercolor over graphite
drawing on ivory paper, 14 1/4 x 16 3/8 inches. Wadsworth Atheneum Museum
of Art, The Schnakenberg Fund. 1951.275.)
American Moderns features 90
works of art, including watercolors, pastels, pen & ink, and graphite
on paper. The exhibition provides a groundbreaking new look at the diverse
directions pursued by modern artists in America. The exhibition also highlight
the Wadsworth's role at the forefront of American modern art through its
acquisition of works by artists like Edward Hopper, Charles Demuth, Salvador
Dalí, and Ellsworth Kelly.
The exhibition presents watercolor as an essentially American
medium that was well suited to the restless, spontaneous, and confident
American spirit. The inclusion of works by both the Neo-Romantics and the
surrealists who came to the United States in the 1930s, in addition to that
of native-born American artists, gives the exhibition a world context. The
diversity of styles in the early 20th century, specifically the tension
between modernism and anti-modernism is also explored.
The exhibition begins with sections on the Ashcan school,
including works by John Sloan and William Glackens, and then traces the
emergence of American modernism with works by John Marin, Georgia O'Keeffe,
Stuart Davis, Arthur Dove, and Edward Hopper, where there is tremendous
depth in the collection. The Atheneum's collection also includes Social
realism, represented by Reginald Marsh and Ben Shahn; Regionalism by Thomas
Hart Benton and Jacob Lawrence; rich examples of Surrealism and Neo-romanticism,
highlighted by Salvador Dalí and Pavel Tchelitchew, and drawings
by modernist sculptors such as Alexander Calder, Gaston Lachaise, and Theodore
Roszak. The exhibition concludes with strong examples of postwar realism
and abstraction as seen in works by Ellsworth Kelly and Andrew Wyeth.
The exhibition is accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue
published by Yale University Press, January 2010. The catalogue includes
scholarly essays by Elizabeth Mankin Kornhauser, Chief Curator and Krieble
Curator of American Paintings and Sculpture, and Carol Troyen, Kristin and
Roger Servison Curator Emerita of American Paintings, Museum of Fine Arts,
Boston, and artist biographies and entries on each object. The catalogue
is available in the Museum Store.
This exhibition has been organized by the Wadsworth Atheneum
Museum of Art, Hartford, Connecticut. Made possible by the National Endowment
for the Arts as part of American Masterpieces: Three Centuries of Artistic
Genius and the Henry Luce Foundation.
(above: Edward Hopper (United States, 1882-1967), Captain
Strout's House, Portland Head, 1927, watercolor on paper, 14 x 20 inches.
Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, The Ella Gallup Sumner and Mary Catlin
Sumner Collection Fund.)
Exhibition Checklist
- All work from the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of ArWadsworth
Atheneum Museum of Art unless otherwise noted.
-
-
- Milton Avery (United States, 1885-1965)
-
- Church by the Sea, 1939,
opaque and transparent watercolor on ivory wove paper, 22 9/16 x 30 7/8
inches. Gift of CIGNA, 2005.3.1.
-
-
-
- William Baziotes (United States, 1912-1963)
-
- Figure and Foliage, 1954,
pastel, black crayon on gray paper, 19 x 24 7/8 inches. The Ella Gallup
Sumner and Mary Catlin Sumner Collection Fund, 1955.266.
-
- Pompeii, 1953, pastel,
black crayon on gray paper, 19 x 24 7/8 inches. Gift of Philip L. Goodwin,
1957.603.
-
-
-
- Thomas Hart Benton (United States 1889-1975)
-
- Oil Barge, circa 1940, graphite,
pen & ink, sepia wash on tan wove paper, 13 3/4 x 16 1/2 inches. Gift
of Esso Standard Oil Company, 1951.231.
-
-
-
- Eugene Berman (United States, born Russia 1899-1972)
-
- Devil's Holiday, Prologue, Costume for hat vendor, 1939, opaque and transparent watercolor, black pen and ink,
on buff, medium weight, laid paper, 12 9/16 x 9 3/4 inches. Gift of Mr.
and Mrs. James T. Soby, 1939.697.
-
- Brooklyn Bridge, 1935, pen
& ink, watercolor wash on buff wove paper, 10 1/2 x 15 inches. Purchased
through the gift of Henry and Walter Keney, 1935.64.
-
- Sketch for stage set used in Hartford Festival, February
16, 1936, 1936, watercolor, pen and ink on paper,
9 3/4 x 12 5/6 inches. The Ella Gallup Sumner and Mary Catlin Sumner Collection
Fund, 1936.2.
-
- Sketch for stage set used in Hartford Festival, February
16, 1936, 1936, watercolor, pen and ink on paper,
10 1/2 x 16 inches. The Ella Gallup Sumner and Mary Catlin Sumner Collection
Fund, 1936.6.
-
- Devil's Holiday, Sketch for setting, "Natural
Bridge," 1939, opaque and transparent watercolor
over traces of chalk and graphite on light gray wove, 13 x 19 inches. The
Ella Gallup Sumner and Mary Catlin Sumner Collection Fund, 1941.388.
-
-
-
- Peter Blume (United States 1906-1992)
-
- Sketch for "The Italian Straw Hat," circa 1952, mixed media on ivory wove paper mounted to black
wove paper, 4 1/2 x 6 inches. Gift of Peter Blume, 1956.482.
-
-
-
- Charles Burchfield (United States 1893-1967)
-
- Looking through a Bridge,
1938, translucent and opaque watercolor on paper mounted to heavy board,
22 5/8 x 33 inches. The Ella Gallup Sumner and Mary Catlin Sumner Collection
Fund, 1939.208.
-
- Spring Evening [Salem], 1917,
translucent and opaque watercolor, graphite on paper, mounted to heavy
board, 20 x 13 7/8 inches. The Ella Gallup Sumner and Mary Catlin Sumner
Collection Fund, 1940.27.
-
- Song in the Rain, 1947, translucent
and opaque watercolor on paper, mounted to heavy board, 40 3/8 x 28 1/4
inches. The Ella Gallup Sumner and Mary Catlin Sumner Collection Fund,
1957.16.
-
- November Landscape, 1946,
translucent and opaque watercolor on paper, mounted to heavy board, 33
7/8 x 26 inches. Gift of Priscilla Cunningham, 1991.42.
-
- Nature's Mystic Spiral, 1916,
opaque and transparent watercolor with graphite on cream wove paper, 11
1/4 x 8 1/4 inches. Bequest of Edward Gorey, 2001.13.32.
-
- Study of Bats in Flight,
circa 19541963, black crayon on cream wove paper, 13 3/4 x 19 1/2
inches. Bequest of Edward Gorey, 2001.13.34.
-
-
-
- Paul Cadmus (United States, 1904-1999)
-
- Ignis Fatuus, 1950, pastel
on black wove paper, 18 3/4 x 23 2/3 inches. Gift of Henry E. Schnakenberg,
1953.218.
-
-
-
- Alexander Calder (United States, 1898-1976)
-
- A Strip-tease (with guide) / in the jungle / a rather
obvious mucilage / To Nellie, with high esteem / 5/2/36 Sandy, 1936, black ink, white opaque watercolor, over collage on buff
wove paper, 21 1/2 x 29 1/2 inches. Bequest of Eleanor H. Bunce, 1999.29.16.
-
-
-
- Salvador Dalí (Spain, 1904-1989)
-
- Figure Studies, 1934, graphite
on cream colored wove paper, 10 3/4 x 7 inches. The Ella Gallup Sumner
and Mary Catlin Sumner Collection Fund, 1935.11.
-
- Study for The Weaning of Furniture Nutrition, circa 1934, graphite, pen and ink on cream card stock, 5 9/16
x 5 5/8 inches. Bequest of Eleanor H. Bunce, 1999.29.20.
-
-
-
- Stuart Davis (United States 1894-1964)
-
- Gas Pumps, 1935, gouache,
graphite, pen & ink on illustration board, 16 5/6 x 15 inches. Gift
of Henry E. Schnakenberg, 1952.388.
-
- Yellow Hand Truck, 1939,
opaque watercolor, graphite on paper, 11 15/16 x 15 7/8 inches. Gift of
Mrs. James Laughlin, 1981.61.
-
-
-
- Charles Demuth (United States, 1883-1935)
-
- Eight O'Clock (Evening),
1917, watercolor wash and graphite on cream, light weight laid paper, 8
x 10 3/8 inches. Gift of James L. Goodwin and Henry Sage Goodwin from the
Estate of Philip L. Goodwin, 1951.261.
-
- Eight O'Clock ((Morning),
1917, watercolor wash over graphite drawing on cream colored wove paper,
7 7/8 x 10 3/16 inches. Gift of George J. Dyer, 1958.228.
-
- Still Life with Eggplant and Summer Squash, circa 1927, opaque and transparent watercolor over graphite
drawing on wove paper, 13 1/2 x 19 3/4 inches. The Ella Gallup Sumner and
Mary Catlin Sumner Collection Fund, 1928.40.
-
- Jonquils, 1928, opaque and
transparent watercolor over graphite drawing on tan paper, 17 5/8 x 11
3/4 inches. Gift of George J. Dyer, 1958.179.\
-
-
-
- Preston Dickinson (United States, 1891-1930)
-
- Still Life with Knife, 1924,
oil and oil wash over graphite on cream, light weight wove paper, 8 1/2
x 11 inches. The Ella Gallup Sumner and Mary Catlin Sumner Collection Fund,
1959.228.
-
-
-
- Power Station - Night, 1924,
unfixed pastel, graphite, and opaque watercolor highlights on cream laid
paper, 25 x 18 1/2 inches. The Ella Gallup Sumner and Mary Catlin Sumner
Collection Fund, 1928.323.
-
-
-
- Arthur Dove (United States 1880-1946)
-
- Flour Mill II, 1938, black
ink and transparent watercolor on ivory wove watercolor paper, 9 x 7 inches.
The Ella Gallup Sumner and Mary Catlin Sumner Collection Fund, 1955.264.
-
- Sunrise, 1937, opaque and
transparent watercolor, pen and ink on ivory wove watercolor paper, 5 x
7 inches. The Ella Gallup Sumner and Mary Catlin Sumner Collection Fund,
1955.265.
-
- Color study from a portfolio of 24 sketches, 1942, mixed media on paper, 7 x 5 inches (sheet). Gift of William
C. Dove, 1989.61.1.
-
- Color study from a portfolio of 24 sketches, 1942, mixed media on paper, 7 x 5 inches (sheet). Gift of William
C. Dove, 1989.61.4.
-
- Color study from a portfolio of 24 sketches, 1942, mixed media on paper, 7 x 5 inches (sheet). Gift of William
C. Dove, 1989.61.8.
-
- Color study from a portfolio of 24 sketches, 1942, mixed media on paper, 7 x 5 inches (sheet). Gift of William
C. Dove, 1989.61.15.
-
- Color study from a portfolio of 24 sketches, 1942, mixed media on paper, 7 x 5 inches. Gift of William C.
Dove, 1989.61.22.
-
- Color study from a portfolio of 24 sketches, 1942, mixed media on paper, 3 x 4 inches (object). Gift of William
C. Dove. 1989.61.24.
-
-
-
- Guy Pene du Bois (United States 1884-1958)
-
- Roosevelt!, 1938, transparent
watercolor, pen & ink on cream paper, 14 11/16 x 11 15/16 inches. Gift
of George J. Dyer, 1963.500.
-
-
-
- William Glackens (United States, 1870-1938)
-
- [East Side] or Far from the Fresh Air Farm (study), circa 1911, charcoal with blue and red crayon on light
brown wove paper, 24 1/4 x 16 1/2 inches. Gift of Henry E. Schnakenberg,
1954.121.
-
-
-
- Arshile Gorky (United States, 1904-1948)
-
- Untitled, 1943, graphite
over colored crayon on ivory wove paper, 27 3/4 x 19 3/4 inches. The Ella
Gallup Sumner and Mary Catlin Sumner Collection Fund, 1955.275.
-
-
-
- Morris Graves (United States 1910-2001)
-
- The Myth of Division and Separation, 1940, opaue and transparent watercolor, possibly sumi ink, on
Chinese paper, 23 x 20 3/4 inches. Gift of Henry E. Schnakenberg, 1952.298.
-
-
-
- George Overbury "Pop" Hart (United States,
1868-1933)
-
- Street Fair: Fort Lee Special,
1930 or 31, translucent watercolor, crayon on paper, 18 x 35 1/2 inches.
The Ella Gallup Sumner and Mary Catlin Sumner Collection Fund, 1947.401.
-
-
-
- Hans Hofmann (United States, 1880-1966)
-
- Untitled, 1948, pen and ink,
colored crayon on wove paper, 17 x 14 1/16 inches. Gift of Mr. Herrick
Jackson, 1976.109.
-
- Provincetown, 1942, colored
crayon on wove paper, 21 3/4 x 24 inches. Gift of Hazel McKinley Gallery
in memory of A. Everett Austin, Jr., 1959.37.
-
-
-
- Edward Hopper (United States 1882-1967)
-
- Captain Strout's House, Portland Head, 1927, watercolor on paper, 14 x 20 inches. The Ella Gallup Sumner
and Mary Catlin Sumner Collection Fund, 1928.3.
-
- Rockland Harbor, 1926, watercolor
on paper, 13 7/8 x 20 inches. The Ella Gallup Sumner and Mary Catlin Sumner
Collection Fund, 1928.324.
-
- Marshall's House, 1932, watercolor
on paper, 14 x 20 inches. Purchased through the gift of Henry and Walter
Keney, 1933.93.
-
- Truro Station Coal Box, 1930,
watercolor on paper, 19 1/2 x 13 1/2 inches. The Ella Gallup Sumner and
Mary Catlin Sumner Collection Fund, 1934.9.
-
- Custom House, Portland, 1927,
watercolor on paper, 14 x 20 inches. Gift of Robert W. Huntingon, 1946.232.
-
- Methodist Church, Provincetown,
1930, watercolor on paper, 25 x 19 3/4 inches. The Ella Gallup Sumner and
Mary Catlin Sumner Collection Fund, 1951.19.
-
-
-
- Ellsworth Kelly (United States, born 1923)
-
- Corn #11, 1959, watercolor
wash on paper, 22 11/16 x 23 5/8 inches. The Ella Gallup Sumner and Mary
Catlin Sumner Collection Fund, 1975.57.
-
- Briar, 1961, black pen and
ink on wove paper, 22 1/2 x 28 1/2 inches. Gift of Mr. Samuel Wagstaff
in memory of Elva McCormick, 1980.7.
-
-
-
- Rockwell Kent (United States 1882-1971)
-
- Illustration for Moby Dick, chapter CXXXV, circa 1929, pen and ink on paper, 10 x 7 inches. Gift of E.
Weyhe, 1955.398.
-
- Illustration for Moby Dick,
circa 1929, pen and ink on paper, 10 x 7 inches. Gift of E. Weyhe, 1955.399.
-
-
-
- Yasuo Kuniyoshi (United States, born Japan, 1889-1953)
-
- Grapes in White Bowl, 1923,
pen and ink, brush and ink, colored ink, and graphite on paper, 22 x 15
1/2 inches. Gift of William E. Hill, 1959.16.
-
- Wild Flowers, 1922, pen and
ink, ink and wash on paper, 17 5/8 x 12 inches. Gift of William E. Hill,
1959.17.
-
-
-
- Gaston Lachaise (United States, 1882-1935)
-
- Male Nude, circa 1932, graphite
on paper, 23 11/16 x 18 3/4 inches. Gift of Lincoln Kirstein, 1934.21.
-
-
-
- Jacob Lawrence (United States, 19172000)
-
- Rain, 1937, opaque watercolor
heightened with graphite on paper, 28 x 20 3/4 inches. The Ella Gallup
Sumner and Mary Catlin Sumner Collection Fund, 1990.30.
-
-
-
- Seymour Lipton (United States, 1903-1983)
-
- Earth Forge, 1954, black
crayon on paper, 8 1/2 x 11 inches. Gift of the Terese and Alviin S. Lane
Foundation, 1962.156.
-
-
-
- John Marin (United States, 1870-1953)
-
- Downtown New York, 1913,
graphite on heavy tracing paper with canvas texture, 10 x 8 1/4 inches.
Purchased through the gift of Henry and Walter Keney, 1960.226.
-
- Big Wood Island, 1914, opaque
and transparent watercolor over graphite drawing on ivory paper, 14 1/4
x 16 3/8 in ches. The Schnakenberg Fund. 1951.275.
-
- Movement No.3, Related to Downtown New York Series, 1926, opaque & transparent wc over charcoal drawing on ivory
wove paper, 17 1/2 x 22 3/8 inches. Gift of James L. Goodwin and Henry
Sage Goodwin from the Estate of Philip L. Goodwin, 1958.229.
-
- From the Bridge, N.Y.C.,
1933, opaque and transparent wc and charcoal, collage pieces on ivory paper
21 7/8 x 26 3/4 inches. The Ella Gallup Sumner and Mary Catlin Sumner Collection
Fund, 1948.479.
-
- Green Sea, Cape Split, Maine,
1941, opaque and transparent watercolor, graphite drawing on ivory paper,
15 1/2 x 22 1/2 inches. Bequest of Arthur P. Day, 1952.405.
-
-
-
- Reginald Marsh (United States, 1898-1954)
-
- New York, 1938, opaque and
transparent watercolor over graphite drawing on ivory paper 19 1/2 x 13
1/2 inches. The Ella Gallup Sumner and Mary Catlin Sumner Collection Fund,
1939.209.
-
- Woman Walking, 1944, watercolor
wash over faint chalk drawing on ivory paper, 19 1/2 x 13 1/4 inches. Gift
of Mr. and Mrs. William Benton, 1961.158.
-
-
-
- Isamu Noguchi (United States, born Japan 1904-1988)
-
- Nude, circa 1920s, black
chalk on bond paper mounted to cardboard, 17 1/8 x 25 1/8 inches. Purchased
through the gift of Henry and Walter Keney, 1959.85.
-