The first museum exhibition devoted to the bold and expressive vision of Thomas Chambers, the 19th-century artist who was once hailed as "America's first modern," includes 44 of the artist's works. Although much of his life has been a mystery until recently, Chambers played a pioneering role in the development of popular American landscape and maritime art in the mid-19th century. The exhibition will be on view from September 27, 2008 to December 28, 2008.
His distinctive style has been widely recognized since the 1940s, when he was rediscovered as a precursor to American modern artists.
Chambers' work has been included in numerous surveys of American art, but until now his paintings have never been assembled to consider the breadth of his career. The exhibition is drawn from public and private collections and will travel to three venues following its debut in Philadelphia.
Catalogue: The Philadelphia Museum of Art, in association with Yale University Press, has published a 170-page catalogue with color illustrations of all works in the exhibition and many supplementary images. The texts include an introductory biographical and critical essay by organizing curator Kathleen A. Foster, the Museum's Robert L. McNeil, Jr. Senior Curator of American Art and Director of the Center of American Art. This catalogue was supported by the Davenport Family Foundation.
Organizer/Sponsors: The exhibition is organized by the Philadelphia Museum of Art and its Center for American Art, in association with the Indiana University Art Museum, with the support of Mr. and Mrs. William C. Buck. Exhibitions in the Berman and Stieglitz Galleries in 2008, including Thomas Chambers, are made possible by RBC Wealth Management. -- www.philamuseum.org
Comment and add to the story without registration, but keep the comments meaningful please. Links are not accepted.
