Georgia Museum adds significant paintings to its permanent collectionJanuary 12, 2016 - 17:26 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - In 2015, the Georgia Museum of Art at the University of Georgia added 320 objects to its permanent collection through gift or purchase, Art Daily reports. Two of these objects are especially important: a 17th-century portrait by Sir Anthony van Dyck and an American Impressionist painting by Frederick Carl Frieseke. Both paintings will be on view in the museum’s permanent collection galleries starting January 13. Van Dyck’s painting, a large portrait of Archbishop William Laud, was donated to the museum by Dr. and Mrs. M. Daniel Byrd, of Atlanta. Van Dyck, a native of Antwerp, Spanish Netherlands, became the premier court painter in England under the patronage of King Charles I. Trained as an artist from the age of 10, he opened a studio with his friend and fellow artist Jan Brueghal the Younger by the age of 15. While working as an assistant to the Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens, Van Dyck is said to have restored a damaged painting so perfectly that Rubens did not realize it had been repaired until many years later. The sitter for this painting, Laud (1573–1645), served as Archbishop of Canterbury under the reign of King Charles I of England from 1633 to 1640. Laud worked closely with the king to root out nonconformity in the Anglican Church, but his policies put him in conflict with Puritan leaders who thought his methods and doctrine dangerously close to those of Roman Catholicism. In 1640, Parliament charged Laud with treason and imprisoned him. Unable to find specific evidence, the lawmakers passed a bill declaring Laud guilty and punishing him without a trial. He was executed by beheading in 1645 despite being granted a royal pardon. The painting is on display in the museum’s H. Randolph Holder Gallery. Lynn Boland, Pierre Daura Curator of European Art, said, “This world-class example of 17th-century portraiture, offering multiple avenues for interdisciplinary study, will serve as a lynchpin for the museum's small but important collection of European painting. Acquisitions of this significance would be beyond our reach were it not for the generosity of donors like the Byrds.” The museum purchased Frieseke’s “Girl Sewing (The Chinese Robe)” with funds given by the Chu Family Foundation. Dr. David Chu is a distinguished research professor emeritus in UGA’s College of Pharmacy. He and his wife, Jane, made this financial gift through their family foundation with the specific goal of the museum’s purchasing a significant American painting. It will be unveiled at an event in the galleries on January 13 at 11 a.m. Sarah Kate Gillespie, curator of American art, said, “Frieseke was an important force in American Impressionism, particularly among those Americans working in the colony of Giverny, France, adjacent to Clause Monet’s gardens. He enjoyed great popularity on both sides of the Atlantic. This particular work not only fills what had been a major gap in the genre within our collection, but also very much complements our current holdings in American Impressionism.” Photo: Georgia Museum of Art Top stories The creative crew of the Public TV had chosen 13-year-old Malena as a participant of this year's contest. She called on others to also suspend their accounts over the companies’ failure to tackle hate speech. Penderecki was known for his film scores, including for William Friedkin’s “The Exorcist”, Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining”. The festival made the news public on March 19, saying that “several options are considered in order to preserve its running” Partner news | Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. CSTO recognizes Armenia’s sovereign right to withdraw Tasmagambetov has said that if Armenia decides to leave the organization, “it will be the sovereign right of Armenia.” |