Parking Lot Moment
Driving in to work today I heard a story on NPR that kept me in my car long after I arrived at my destination. The story talks about the murals that are on view at the Justice Department headquarters. It was an incredible reminder of the power that art can have in educating, inspiring, and uniting the country.
The artwork above is in the Carter’s collection, but not currently on view. It is by John Steuart Curry, one of the artists featured in the story. The image is of John Brown who is one of the more controversial figures in our nation’s history.
One More List
Thank you to Gaile Robinson at the Fort Worth Star Telegram for including Marsden Hartley and the West: The Search for an American Modernism in her list of best exhibitions in 2008.
More Lists
I want to send a special thank you to our friend over at Fort Worth West and Clear for including two Carter exhibitions, Intimate Modernism: Fort Worth Circle Artists in the 1940s and Marsden Hartley and the West: The Search for an American Modernism in the list of top five art events in 2008. Take a moment to check out two of the great exhibitions that will be on view in 2009.
Marsden Makes the Top Ten
In case you missed it, on Friday Michael Granberry at the Dallas Morning News included the Carter’s exhibition, Marsden Hartley and the West: The Search for American Modernism in his list of Top Ten Art Happenings in 2008.
Holiday Past
I recently received a beautiful hand-made holiday card from an artist friend of mine. This reminded me of the illustrated letters created by artist Charles M. Russell.
This Christmas message was especially poignant because it was created shortly before Mr. Russell’s death. You can see the attached message from his widow, Nancy, in the lower left-hand corner.
You can find out more about Charlie’s “paper talk” (his name for his correspondence) here and in our latest publication.
Beyond the Galleries
There are many discoveries to be found at the Carter beyond what is displayed in the galleries. Often the art works are only the tip of a much larger collection of material, much of it textual and documentary. It is this assortment of letters, diaries, books, clippings, and sketches that make research and analysis of art beyond its immediate visual appeal possible. These items illuminate the artist’s intent, the work’s context in time and place, variations, and changes, without which much of an artwork’s tale is lost.
The recent Carter publication, Chimneys and Towers: Charles Demuth’s Late Paintings of Lancaster, is a fine example of the art research that is possible with supporting documents. Betsy Fahlman and Claire Barry approach Demuth’s work from differing angles but both are able to elaborate upon their discussions of context and content because of their use and study of his archives.
Take a moment during your next visit to the Carter to use our Library and Archives and see what you can discover.
Put Some Howdy in Your Holiday!
Frederic S. Remington (1861–1909)
A Dash for the Timber,1889
Oil on canvas
Amon Carter Museum, Fort Worth, Texas
1961.381
Calling all cowboys and cowgirls—come on down to the Carter for this month’s Target Family Fun Day, Holiday Howdy! From 1 to 4 p.m. this Sunday, cowpokes of all ages can participate in the many minds-on activities that are designed to bring the Carter’s outstanding collection of Western art to life. In addition to fun looking and art-making activities, representatives from the Fort Worth Herd will be onsite (and in full Drover attire) from 1 to 3 to demonstrate the skills and tools that real cowboys and cowgirls need to do their jobs. From 3 to 4, join us for a poetry slam—cowboy style—as students from Timberview High School in Mansfield read the cool cowboy poems that they wrote after seeing the works of Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell during their October field trip to the Carter. The day is sure to be a hoot and a holler, and we hope to see y’all there!
Less Arts Coverage in DFW
Another sign of the times: news of decreased arts coverage (and a surprising collaboration) in the Star-Telegram and Dallas Morning News.
Behind the Seen
Have you ever wondered what happened to the person after their portrait was painted?
John Singer Sargent (1856-1925)
Alice Vanderbilt Shepard, 1888
Oil on canvas
1999.20
At the time that this portrait was painted, Alice Vanderbilt Shepard was a member of one of the richest families in America, perhaps even the world. Her grandfather William Henry Vanderbilt inherited 90 million dollars from his father, Cornelius “Commodore” Vanderbilt, and then turned that into an even greater fortune when he became president of the New York Central Railroad.
John Singer Sargent was one of the most popular portrait painters of his era. He met Alice while painting this portrait of her mother.
Portrait of Mrs. Elliot Fitch Shepard (Margaret Louisa Vanderbilt), 1888
Oil on canvas
San Antonio Museum of Art, purchased with funds provided by the Lillie and Roy Cullen Endowment Fund
84.57
While painting this portrait, Sargent became familiar with the entire Shepard family and was so captivated by the eldest daughter, Alice, that he asked permission to paint her portrait—which was very unusual for Sargent. At first Mrs. Shepard refused saying that Alice, then thirteen years old, could not withstand the tedious sittings. According to Alice’s granddaughter, Alice was something of a tomboy, and a few years before this painting was completed, she had fallen out of a tree and damaged her spine. Mrs. Shepard relented only when Sargent assured her that the number of sittings would be limited and short in length.
Look closely at the portrait the next time you are at the museum. Notice the difference in the amount of attention that Sargent paid to Alice’s face versus the rest of her body. Look at her expression, what do you think she was thinking? Look at her posture. Scholars have supposed that her rail-straight posture coupled with the pillow behind her are helping her withstand the pressure on her back that sitting for the portrait must have caused.
This portrait is a favorite stop for tours of audiences of all ages—in fact it is one of two portraits that open the “Eye for Detail” program that we offer to all first-year medical students at the University of North Texas Health Science Center. It is interesting to note that regardless of age, education, etc. there are always a few people in each group that first assume when they look at the portrait that this is a young boy. Alice’s hairstyle and outfit, which are both reminiscent of something you might see in a portrait of one of our founding fathers, always throws them.
Turns out, Alice was right in style for the time, as you can see from this photograph of her that was taken around the time that the portrait was painted.
Many years later…
Alice studied at Radcliffe College and married a young man named Daven Hennen Morris. Mr. Morris would later become a lawyer and diplomat. Together they had five children—two sons and three daughters.
Even though Alice was busy as a wife and mother, she found time to develop an international language that is still used today by medical and scientific professionals. Go here for more information on this incredible woman.