Major Benson Exhibition Opening at the Farnsworth

  • ROCKLAND, Maine
  • /
  • May 15, 2012

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Frank W. Benson, Sunlight, 1909; oil on canvas, 32 x 20 in.; collection of the Indianapolis Museum of Art, John Herron Fund, 11.1

(Rockland, ME) On Saturday, June 17, the Farnsworth Art Museum (www.farnsworthmuseum.org) in Rockland, Maine, will open a major exhibition in the museum's Morehouse wing, entitled Impressionist Summers: Frank W. Benson's North Haven. The show of approximately seventy works will examine how Benson's art was affected by his life on North Haven, where he created almost all of his brilliant, sun-drenched Impressionist paintings.

This exhibition examines Frank W. Benson's long and productive career in the context of his life and work at his summer home, Wooster Farm, on the island of North Haven, Maine, thirteen miles off the coast of Rockland. The renowned artist's island home was where he launched his prolific etching career and began making his highly successful watercolors. Through his paintings, both oil and watercolor, drypoints, etchings and lithographs, the exhibition will illustrate the important ways in which life on North Haven affected Benson's art. Impressionist Summers: Frank W. Benson's North Haven is organized by Guest Curator Faith Andrews Bedford, with a fully illustrated catalogue published by Skira Rizzoli Publications, Inc.

The exhibition opening will be celebrated on Saturday, June 17, at a members-only preview and reception from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the museum.

This exhibition is made possible through the generous support of Ms. Faith Andrews Bedford and Mr. Robert F. Bedford, Mr. and Mrs. John D. Bertuzzi, Charles and Julia Bolton, Christie's, Lizbeth and George Krupp, Machias Savings Bank, Grant and Carol Nelson, Margaret L. Shaw, Mr. and Mrs. David Webb. The primary media sponsor of this exhibition is Maine Home + Design

In association with this exhibition the Farnsworth will present the following lectures and talks: On Sunday, June 17 at 2 p.m. Impressionist Summers: Frank W. Benson's North Haven, a lecture by Guest Curator Faith Andrews Bedford; On Friday, July 13 at 1 p.m.,  Gallery Tour :Impressionist Summers: Frank W. Benson's North Haven with Guest Curator Faith Andrews Bedford; On Wednesday, August 1 at 1 p.m., Gallery Tour: Frank Benson's Impressionism with Chief Curator Michael Komanecky; On Wednesday, August 8 at 1 p.m., Gallery Tour: The Watercolors of Frank W. Benson with Assistant Curator Jane Bianco; On Wednesday, August 22, 1 p.m.: Gallery Tour Frank Benson's Wooster Farm: Inside and Out with Chief Curator Michael Komanecky; On Friday, September 7 at 1 p.m. Gallery Tour: The Etchings of Frank W. Benson with Assistant Curator Jane Bianco.

The Farnsworth Art Museum celebrates Maine's ongoing role in American art. It offers a nationally recognized collection of works from many of America's greatest artists, with 20,000 square feet of gallery space and over 10,000 works in the collection. The Farnsworth has one of the largest public collections of works by sculptor Louise Nevelson, while its Wyeth Center features works of N.C., Andrew and Jamie Wyeth. The National Register listed Farnsworth Homestead, the Olson House, a National landmark, and Julia's Gallery for Young Artists complete the museum complex. Please visit www.farnsworthmuseum.org for more information on current exhibitions, programs and events.

Contact:
David Troup
Farnsworth Art Museum
207-596-6457 ext 128
dtroup@farnsworthmuseum.org

Farnsworth Art Museum
16 Museum Street
Rockland, Maine
dtroup@farnsworthmuseum.org
207-596-6457
http://www.farnsworthmuseum.org
About Farnsworth Art Museum

Celebrating Maine’s Role in American Art, the Farnsworth Art Museum offers a nationally recognized collection of works from many of America’s greatest artists. With 20,000 square feet of gallery space and over 10,000 works in the collection, there is always something new on view at the Farnsworth. The museum houses the nation's second-largest collection of works by premier 20th-century sculptor Louise Nevelson. Its Wyeth Center exclusively features works of Andrew, N.C. and Jamie Wyeth. The Farnsworth's library is also housed in its Rockland, ME, campus. Two historic buildings, the Farnsworth Homestead and the Olson House, complete the museum complex.

Tags: american art

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