A recent gift by Dr. Richard P. Wunder of La Jolla, California, in honor of Mrs. Pamela C. Copeland of Mt. Cuba, Delaware, has significantly expanded the Brandywine River Museum's permanent collection of American illustration and is the subject of a current exhibition. In addition to various books, the gift includes 150 original works of art by such noted illustrators as Harrison Cady and Palmer Cox.

Citing his motivation for making the gift in honor of Mrs. Copeland, Dr. Wunder commented that "her boundless philanthropic spirit and outstanding support of cultural life deserve wide recognition."

"It is particularly gratifying to receive a gift in honor of Mrs. Copeland who has been a great force in horticulture and an extraordinary patron of fine and decorative arts in America," said George A. (Frolic) Weymouth, Chairman of the Brandywine River Museum's Board of Trustees.

"Dr. Wunder's generosity enhances an important and well-known dimension of our collection," said James H. Duff, Director of the Brandywine River Museum. "His contribution provides a wealth of images for the pleasure and education of our visitors."

Dr. Wunder is a prominent figure in the art world. After earning three degrees including a Doctorate from Harvard University, he held successive positions as curator and administrator at the Museum of the Arts and Decoration of the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (New York City) and National Collection of Fine Arts (Smithsonian Institution). He is also the founding director of the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum (Smithsonian Institution). From 1979 to 1990, Dr. Wunder served as the president of the appraisals division for the auction house Christie's. He has been a guest lecturer at Middlebury College (Middlebury, VT) and is the author of many scholarly publications and articles on 18th- and 19th-century art.

Throughout his career, Dr. Wunder's professional positions have mirrored his personal interests. The collection that he has amassed and subsequently donated to the Brandywine River Museum reflects his affinity for and exposure to particular artists and illustrators, several whom he knew firsthand.

Dr. Wunder's gift contains 83 works by Harrison Cady (1877-1970), a self-taught artist from Massachusetts. In 1903, Cady began a 17-year association with Life magazine, creating many satirical drawings and comical depictions of bugs and rabbits. He soon gained repute for his illustrations of anthropomorphic animals, most notably for Thornton Burgessís Bedtime Stories. Beginning in 1922, Cady's work was syndicated through the New York Herald Tribune. From 1935 through 1959, Cady created over 10,000 illustrations for Burgess's serialized Nature Stories.

Works by Palmer Cox (1840-1924) are also part of Dr. Wunder's gift. Cox began his career illustrating stories, writing verse and drawing cartoons for periodicals in San Francisco and New York. In 1883, he earned national recognition for his creation of the "Brownies" in St. Nicholas magazine. Borrowing from Scottish folklore filled with fanciful creatures, Cox brought his imaginary Brownies to life. They became extremely popular, appearing in books, periodicals, toys, greeting cards and more.

Included in Dr. Wunder's gift are works by other important American illustrators such as Wallace Morgan, Arthur G. McCoy, J.S. Pugh, James Moore Preston and May Wilson Preston.

From January 15 through March 18 at the Brandywine River Museum, a special exhibition, American Illustration: A Gift in Honor of Mrs. Pamela C. Copeland, presents selected works from Dr. Wunder's donation.

The Brandywine River Museum is internationally known for its fine collection of American illustration, still life and landscape painting plus works by three generations of Wyeths. Of the nearly 3,000 works of art in the museum's permanent collection, 1,345 are by 262 illustrators.

Located on US Route 1 in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, the museum is open daily, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except Christmas Day. Admission is $5 for adults; $2.50 for seniors and students; free for children under 6 and members. For more information, call (610) 388-2700.

Publicity photography is available upon request.

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