The Weir Family: American Artists

"Saint Nicholas" painting by Robert Weir, 1837

Robert Weir was a member of the Knickerbocker Society in New York, which promoted the Dutch heritage of many of New York's settlers.  Here, he painted "St. Nicholas," New York's patron saint.

I confess the American art family I am most familiar with is the Wyeth family.  I was not acquainted with the lives and works of the Weir family until I went to this exhibit currently at the Museum of Art at Brigham Young University.  "The Weir Family, 1820-1920:  Expanding the Traditions of American Art" opened at the MOA in November, and will continue through May 19, 2012.  The exhibit features works from Robert Weir, two of his sons, and a granddaughter (Dorothy).  

"At the Water Trough"  by J. Alden Weir, 1876-77

Robert Weir was one of the first American artists to study in Italy.  In later years, his sons, John Ferguson and Julian Alden Weir also traveled back and forth to Europe to study art and to paint.  Julian, who went by J. Alden in his career, returned to the US and founded the art department at Yale University.

Three paintings by members of the Weir family.

Robert painted scenes from American history, and many portraits.  He was a faculty member at West Point, and some of his paintings of the Hudson River are in this exhibit.  Robert was also a member of the Hudson River School of artists.  John Ferguson Weir painted in a very traditional style, and was nicknamed "The Old Master" by his contemporaries.  J. Alden, by comparison, began with traditional paintings, but in this exhibit, you can see his style evolve into Impressionism.

"The Grand Canal - Venice" by John Weir, 1869

I think John Weir's painting of the Grand Canal in Venice was my favorite in this exhibit, but I admit that may be in part because of subject matter.  I do, however, also love the warm lighting and mood of the painting as well.  

If you get the chance to go see this exhibit, make sure you see "U.S. Volunteer Militia" (1840-45) by Robert Weir.  This humorous scene of military life is a departure from his more typical, traditional style.  I also loved "The Christmas Bell" painted by John Ferguson Weir in 1866.  John Weir painted five versions of that painting, as it was quite popular.  The painting depicts a bell surrounded by fairies has a magical feel.  "His Favorite Model," also by John Weir, shows an artist interacting with the wooden mannequin in his studio, and seems to me to invite you in to watch the scene.  These "story-telling" pieces were some of my favorites in the exhibit.  This wonderfully curated exhibit will travel to the New Britain Museum of American Art for the summer, and then on to the Mint Museum in Charlotte, North Carolina in the fall.

"His Favorite Model" by John Ferguson Weir, 188- 

If you go:  admission to BYU's Museum of Art is free. There is usually ample visitor parking in the lot east of the museum.  The museum is open Monday - Wednesday from 10am to 6pm, Thursday -  Friday from 10am to 9pm, and Saturdays from 10am to 6pm.  It is closed on Sundays and select holidays.

The Yankee Spirit Art Exhibit

West Rock, New Haven - Frederic Edwin Church (1826-1900)

If you can't go to the art, let the art come to you!  I thoroughly enjoyed "The Yankee Spirit" art exhibit at BYU's Museum of Art.  This exhibit features paintings from the New Britain Museum of American Art in New Britain, Connecticut, and has selections from many artists you may be familiar with, and probably a few that you aren't.  Sprinkled among the works of the widely known Norman Rockwell, Georgia O'Keefe, Thomas Moran, and John Singer Sargent are some less recognizable treasures.

This exhibit contains both art information and history lessons.  For example, did you know that before he invented the telegraph and Morse code, Samuel F.B. Morse (1791-1872) was an artist?  One of his paintings is in this exhibit.  Also of interest are works by painters who are notable for their circumstances and place on the historical timeline.  Lily Martin Spencer (1822-1902), the exhibit tag informs you, was the mother of 13, and the principle breadwinner for her family.  This was definitely unusual for the time!  Her painting "This Little Pig Went to Market" captures an intimate moment between mother and child, and was also unusual subject matter for the era.

African-American artist Henry Ossawa Tanner (1859-1937) was more accepted outside of his home country.  As you look at his "Wynkoop House, Old Haarlem," notice his quote about America featured beside the painting.

I love it and am sometimes sad that I cannot live where my heart is.

Rockwell Kent's "Toilers at Sea" brings to mind a Winslow Homer painting, while the Winslow Homer in this exhibit is of a different subject matter altogether.  His "Butterfly Girl" is a fairly straight forward picture of a young woman.

Toilers At Sea - Rockwell Kent

Butterfly Girl - Winslow Homer

James Whistler's (1834-1903) spare "The Beach at Selsey Bill" contrasts vividly with Ernest Lawson's (1873-1939) vibrant "Spring Tapestry."  The bright colors and movement of this piece bring to life the energy and rebirth of spring.

Spring Tapestry - Ernest Lawson

John Haberle's (185601933) trompe l'oeil "Time and Eternity" is so well executed that at first I thought he had used actual cards in a collage-style.  But no!  This is an actual "flat" painting.

Time and Eternity - John Haberle



Christopher Gallegos' "Interior With Three Rooms" is so inviting that it is roped off so people won't walk into it.  One of my sons loved Peter Blume's (1906-1992) "Boulders of Avila."  Blume mixed marble dust with his paint and applied it with a palette knife to create the texture on the rocks.  Another of my boys' favorites was Maxfield Parrish's (1870-1966) snug cottage in "Dusk."

Dusk - Maxfield Parrish

So, if you are in the Provo area, take some time and rest your eyes on the translucent green wave curling toward "Seal Rock" (Albert Bierstadt), or stop a minute to watch the sunset over the "Ipswich Marshes" (Martin Johnson Heade 1819-1904).

Seal Rock - Albert Bierstadt

Celebrate the Yankee Spirit and take in this wonderful exhibit while you can.  It runs through October 29, 2011, and it's FREE.

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