Tag: Arthur B. Davies
A Different American Voice — American Art at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts
In some ways, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts is similar to the Brooklyn Museum. Both are encyclopedic, multi-cultured institutions founded in the gilded age. The original buildings were both designed by McKim Mead and White; yet neither eventually achieved the grandiosity of the Beaux-Arts that was planned. The Brooklyn Museum finished one sixth of the initial plan while MIA finished about one seventh. There is as much fame in the Egyptian Art in the Brooklyn Museum as in the Asian Art in MIA. Both have kept their period rooms and in one particular case, both have one room from the Joseph Russell house of Providence, Rhode Island. Continue Reading »
Davies Exhibition at Spanierman Gallery
![Arthur B. Davies from Wikimedia Commons [[File:Arthur B. Davies.jpg|thumb|Arthur B. Davies]]](http://www.urbanartantiques.com/wp-content/uploads/461px-Arthur_B._Davies-230x300.jpg "Arthur B. Davies from Wikimedia Commons [[File:Arthur B. Davies.jpg|thumb|Arthur B. Davies]]")
A leading figure in the organization of the transformational 1913 Armory Show, Arthur B. Davies (1862–1928) is the subject of a new exhibition at Spanierman Gallery in New York. The show includes works rendered from the 1890s through the 1910s by this visionary member of the Eight.
Davies often rendered his own interpretations of ancient myths, combining motifs drawn from everyday life with elements from the realm of fantasy. Adopting a Symbolist attitude, he used the form of the nude to explore themes of beauty, grace, movement, emotion, and sensuous experience. In this respect, he broke ties with American Victorianism, advocating artistic freedom of expression. Continue Reading »
Jersey City Museum Closes
Reports came out today that indicate the century-old Jersey City Museum may have closed for good due to lack of funding. A board member told the museum the artwork is secured and professionally cared for. Apparently the museum is behind on mortgage payments and owes some $3 million for a renovation. Curiously the board member also referred to the collection as “growing” having recently received a work by Arthur B. Davies. See this article in the Newark Star-Ledger.
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