January Exhibition Celebrates Growth of Museum's Collection

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January Exhibition Celebrates Growth of Museum's Collection
(#051)

When the Brandywine River Museum opened in 1971, its permanent collection included only a handful of paintings, drawings and prints. Three decades later, the museum's collection contains more than 2,800 works of art. The growth is notable because, as recently as the early 1980s, there simply was not enough art in the collection to fill the galleries. Installations during the museum's first ten years were largely dependent upon loans from generous private collectors and other museums.

Highlights from the Collection, an exhibition from January 19 through March 3, 2002, celebrates diverse works of art that reflect the museum's mission. In many respects, a museum is defined by its collections, and a major portion of the museumís mission is to collect and preserve American art with special emphasis on the art history of the Brandywine Valley and the art of the Wyeth family. The new exhibition contains approximately 250 works by 80 artists, including recent acquisitions that have enlarged the scope of the collection. It has been organized by Gene E. Harris, curator of collections.

Trustees, staff members and patrons are proud that additions to the museumís collection have been made by gift, bequest and purchase. Supporters have given important works from early 19th-century landscapes to paintings by Jamie Wyeth. Bequests have often been surprises, from a seascape by William Trost Richards to illustrations by N.C. Wyeth. Purchases have been made possible in many ways. Individuals and foundations have given restricted contributions, as well as endowment funds, to buy art. Through their annual antiques show and "critter" ornament sale, the museum volunteers raise funds for important additions to the collections, and each year the trustees allocate funds for art acquisition. From the first known American lithograph (made by Bass Otis) to a portrait by Andrew Wyeth, strategic purchases have greatly enhanced the museum's collection.

Because of the museum's focus on American illustration, it has been important to develop extensive library holdings representing the published form of original works of art made for books and periodicals. Highlights from the Collection includes many of these publications near the paintings and drawings they represent. An important part of the educational potential of the museum's collections is thereby revealed and celebrated.

Only a relatively small portion of the museum's growing collections can be shown at one time. By examining this representational selection and demonstrating its high quality, visitors can look forward to further growth in the size and importance of the heritage that is the museum's dedication. Future programs will depend on making available fine works of art that reflect the best of the museumís culture and its artists.

The Brandywine River Museum is located on US Route 1 in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. The museum is open daily, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Effective January 19, 2002, admission will be $6 for adults; $3 for seniors, students and children ages 6-12; free for children under six and members. For more information, please call (610) 388-2700

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Brandywine River Museum, U.S. Route 1 and PA Route 100
P.O. Box 141, Chadds Ford, PA 19317
For more information send email to: inquiries@brandywine.org
© 2001 Brandywine Conservancy

Return to News Page \| Return Home
January Exhibition Celebrates Growth of Museum's Collection (#051) When the Brandywine River Museum opened in 1971, its permanent collection included only a handful of paintings, drawings and prints. Three decades later, the museum's collection contains more than 2,800 works of art. The growth is notable because, as recently as the early 1980s, there simply was not enough art in the collection to fill the galleries. Installations during the museum's first ten years were largely dependent upon loans from generous private collectors and other museums. Highlights from the Collection, an exhibition from January 19 through March 3, 2002, celebrates diverse works of art that reflect the museum's mission. In many respects, a museum is defined by its collections, and a major portion of the museumís mission is to collect and preserve American art with special emphasis on the art history of the Brandywine Valley and the art of the Wyeth family. The new exhibition contains approximately 250 works by 80 artists, including recent acquisitions that have enlarged the scope of the collection. It has been organized by Gene E. Harris, curator of collections. Trustees, staff members and patrons are proud that additions to the museumís collection have been made by gift, bequest and purchase. Supporters have given important works from early 19th-century landscapes to paintings by Jamie Wyeth. Bequests have often been surprises, from a seascape by William Trost Richards to illustrations by N.C. Wyeth. Purchases have been made possible in many ways. Individuals and foundations have given restricted contributions, as well as endowment funds, to buy art. Through their annual antiques show and "critter" ornament sale, the museum volunteers raise funds for important additions to the collections, and each year the trustees allocate funds for art acquisition. From the first known American lithograph (made by Bass Otis) to a portrait by Andrew Wyeth, strategic purchases have greatly enhanced the museum's collection. Because of the museum's focus on American illustration, it has been important to develop extensive library holdings representing the published form of original works of art made for books and periodicals. Highlights from the Collection includes many of these publications near the paintings and drawings they represent. An important part of the educational potential of the museum's collections is thereby revealed and celebrated. Only a relatively small portion of the museum's growing collections can be shown at one time. By examining this representational selection and demonstrating its high quality, visitors can look forward to further growth in the size and importance of the heritage that is the museum's dedication. Future programs will depend on making available fine works of art that reflect the best of the museumís culture and its artists. The Brandywine River Museum is located on US Route 1 in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. The museum is open daily, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Effective January 19, 2002, admission will be $6 for adults; $3 for seniors, students and children ages 6-12; free for children under six and members. For more information, please call (610) 388-2700 Top of Page
Brandywine River Museum, U.S. Route 1 and PA Route 100 P.O. Box 141, Chadds Ford, PA 19317 For more information send email to: inquiries@brandywine.org © 2001 Brandywine Conservancy