A collection of art which depicts the drama of a changing America in the early 20th century is now on exhibit at the Delaware Art Museum. American Moderns, 1910–1960: From O’Keeffe to Rockwell opened Oct. 12.
The exhibit brings together different styles from so-called primitive to cubist art. The works are as varied as the styles. Some are charming, some alarming and others filled with humor and whimsy.
Heather Coyle, the Curator of American Art, describes one of the most interesting decisions she made while laying out the exhibit. Since some people don’t like abstract art, the layout tempts the viewer with a Wheelock wooden sculpture with abstract paintings on the side. On the far wall is a familiar and popular Georgia O’Keeffe painting of a black pansy to draw the viewer in.
The 57 piece exhibit is divided into six series beginning with the Cubist Experiment followed by Still Life Revisited, Nature Essentialized, Modern Structures, Engaging Characters and Americana.
The cubist’s style itself can be described as fracturing of objects and placing the pieces on canvas. Coyle noted that society itself was being fractured during the early to mid 20th century by war and social change.
The exhibit flows from the upheaval represented by cubists paintings to the serenity of artists rediscovering still life flowers and fruit. The second series is a retreat to more classical form as if to say did we go too far with cubism?
Continuing on with nature, the third series shows man’s relationship to nature. This section contains Down to the Sea by Rockwell Kent. Kent’s work on Monhegan Island, Maine, is currently on exhibit at the Brandywine River Museum in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania.
There are two artists named Rockwell in the exhibit. Rockwell Kent was an illustrator and activist whose political views brought him up before the Joseph McCarthy hearings. Norman is the other Rockwell in this exhibit whose illustrations were once in living rooms across America on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post.
The Sand Cart by George Wesley Bellows is looking forward and back. It looks back to manual labor, using a cart to collect sand, a basic material. It looks ahead to the cement and glass that will be made with the sand.
The series called Modern Structures shows buildings and cities becoming industrialized. Text is part of the artwork as billboards are shown.
The Blue Peter shows onlookers to steamer. The work conveys intensity and anxiety of the new world with a smoke stack and barriers to entry. The theme of observing change is repeated in the Vision of New York by N.C. Wyeth. In this work, woodland creatures view New York City as if in a dream.
Any one of the last four paintings in the Americana series is worth the trip to the museum. Morris Hirshfield’s Girl With Dog is a whimsical portrayal of an elegant woman walking an elegant critter.
Although painted in 1951, Anna Mary Robertson “Grandma” Moses’ Early Skating is conveys the innocence of a time before all of the changes depicted in the other works in the exhibit. Both Hirshfield and Moses are considered primitive artists in because they were not formally trained in art.
Although you may have seen a reproduction The Tattoo Artist by Norman Rockwell, seeing the original in full size is a treat. A sailor is once again availing himself of the tattoo artist. The sailor’s arm is a chronicler of his own change, change of girlfriends from Sadie, Rosietta, Ming Fee, Mimi, Olga, Sing Lee to Betty.
“American Moderns” is a traveling exhibit organized by the Brooklyn Museum of Art. It will be on display in Wilmington until January 5, 2014.
Upcoming Events about the exhibit
American Moderns Gallery Talks Saturdays, October 12, November 9 and December 7 | 11:30 a.m.
American Moderns Lecture: What Modern Means Saturday, October 19 | 1:30 p.m.Terry Carbone, the Andrew W. Mellon Curator of American Art at the Brooklyn Museum
American Moderns Saturday Symposium Saturday, October 19 | 10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Heather Campbell Coyle, Curator of American Art
Family Exploration Day: American Moderns Sunday, November 10 | noon – 3:30 p.m. Kids and their families will learn about popular American artists featured in American Moderns
For more information go to http://www.delart.org or call 302-571-959
About Emily Myers
Emily Myers has lived and worked in Chadds Ford for over thirty five years. She founded the parent company of Chadds Ford Live, Decision Design Research, Inc., in 1982. ChaddsFordLive.com represents the confluence of Myers' long time, deep involvement in technology and community. Myers was a founding member of the Chadds Ford Business Association and currently serves on its board of directors. Her hobbies include bridge, golf, photography and Tai Chi. She lives with her husband, Jim Lebedda, in Chadds Ford Township.
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