The Mead Museum houses the art collection of Amherst College and was named for its founder, William Rutherford Mead who graduated from Amherst in 1867 and went on to become a partner in the architectural firm of McKim, Mead and White. While modest in size, it offers the visitor to Amherst College a wonderful opportunity to enjoy many interesting works of art and unique special exhibits. During my mid-June visit with my wonderful sister Sally, the featured exhibit was entitled:
While portraits have not been a favorite genre, it was certainly interesting to learn the story behind several well crafted and moving portraits of popular American icons. I found the Lindbergh portraits by Robert Brackman to be particularly compelling and certainly a study in contrast - the confident pioneer aviator and the wounded mother.
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| Charles A. Lindbergh, 1938 Oil on canvas Robert Brackman |
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| Anne Morrow Lindbergh, 1938 oil on canvas Robert Brackman |
Also on display at the Mead were a number of new acquisitions.
With over 18,000 pieces designed to support teaching and research, this fine college collection offers each person something to respect, to puzzle over and to love.
The digital copy below cannot do justice to Williard LeRoy Metcalf's Gloucester Harbor, 1895. It absolutely delights the imagination as one travels around the small gallery looking back at it while trying to figure out how it is possible that a painting can look different but wonderful from every angle.
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| Gloucester Harbor, 1895 oil on canvas Williard LeRoy Metcalf |
Almost directly opposite the Metcalf is Clover Field, 1939-40 by Rockwell Kent. While they share a space, they represent entirely different artistic tone and technique while offering equal pleasure to the eye. I particularly enjoy the Kent piece. His art encompasses an incredible range of styles and techniques but this picture makes the suggestion that one should try to reproducing this Vermont scene. Finding a work that inspires you to paint a theme or try a given technique is an excellent reason to visit a museum like the Mead.
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| Clover Fields, 1938-40 oil in canvas Rockwell Kent |
Before leaving Amherst's museum one simply must visit the extraordinary Salone Dancer, 1909 by Robert Henri. This is such a wonderful painting - it is no wonder that the Mead displays it on the banner announcing the location of the museum. This portrait certainly fuels the imagination to conjure stories about the model behind this portrait.
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| Life is so good! |
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| Salome Dance,1909 oil on canvas Robert Henri |
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