Feb. 10-May 15: 'Artists and Friends'
'Artists and Friends' exhibition featured in University's Old College Gallery
8:17 a.m., Feb. 3, 2016--The University Museums of the University of Delaware will present the exhibition “Artists and Friends,” on view from Feb. 10-May 15 in the Old College Gallery.
Ninety-nine years ago this spring, UD acquired its first documented painting, Delaware Awake! by Ethel Pennewill Brown, later to become Brown Leach.
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Painted in response to a 1917 call by the National Women’s Liberty Loan Committee, a group established to raise funds to support World War I, this work was purchased to be given as a gift to the Women’s College of Delaware.
The painting was presented in a ceremony on May 13, 1918, when the women students were assembled for morning chapel. That same year, the Women’s College saw its first graduating class.
In 1921, neighboring Delaware College was renamed the University of Delaware and in 1945 it merged with the Women’s College to become a coeducational institution.
Over the next century, the University Collection would continue to grow, thanks mainly to the generosity of friends.
Provenance – the history of ownership of a painting – can imbue it with a special, almost personal meaning.
As gifts by generous donors from 1917 onward, the works in “Artists and Friends” tell a story of relationships. Many of the donors’ names are familiar, and many of their gifts were works by artists active in and around Wilmington, from Howard Pyle to Frank E. Schoonover.
An important gift from the estate of Ellen du Pont Wheelwright ranged more widely, bringing to the collection sculptures by Aristide Maillol and William Zorach, and paintings by the early 20th century artist Jonas Lie and Wilmington native William White.
Other works by Zorach came to the collection through a more personal relationship of the artist and his family with Wayne Craven, Henry Francis du Pont Professor Emeritus of Art History, and his student Roberta Tarbell.
Works on display in this exhibition reflect the friendship of artists and their families, as well as that of the conservators and students in the Winterthur/University of Delaware Program in Art Conservation, who have treated many works in the collection, including two drawings by Zorach, exhibited here for the first time.
Programming highlights include an opening reception from 6-7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 16, and a Perspectives gallery talk by Janis Tomlinson, University Museums director, from 12:30-1:15 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 25. Tomlinson will speak on the topic “What Makes the University Collection Unique?”
Admission to all University Museums exhibitions and events is free and open to the public.
RSVP for either event to universitymuseums@udel.edu or 302-831-8037.
The Old College Gallery is open from noon-8 p.m. Wednesday, and noon-5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. It is closed during all UD breaks and holidays.
Guided tours are available by request. To book a tour, call 302-831-8037 or write to universitymuseums@udel.edu.
For general information, see the University Museums website.