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Published: Friday, 06 March 2020 10:51
The Whistler House Museum of Art is proud to host author and professor Christopher Carlsmith of UMASS Lowell.
In 1966, the most destructive flood in the history of Venice temporarily submerged the city and threatened its extraordinary art and architecture. Among the organizations that mobilized to protect this fragile heritage was Save Venice Inc. Founded in Boston and now headquartered in New York City, this nonprofit has become the largest and most active committee dedicated to preserving the artistic legacy of Venice.
Christopher Carlsmith tells the fascinating story of Save Venice Inc., from its origins to its fiftieth anniversary. Save Venice Inc. continues to provide an influential model for philanthropy in the cultural sector, raising substantial funds to conserve and restore paintings, sculptures, books, mosaics, and entire buildings at risk from human and environmental impacts.
In his new book, Save Venice Inc.: American Philanthropy and Art Conservation in Italy, 1966–2021, Carlsmith employs extensive archival research, oral interviews, and newspaper accounts to explore a range of topics, including leadership, conservation projects, fundraising, and educational outreach. With a range of methodologies from cultural history and art history, Carlsmith traces the achievements and challenges faced by this and other historic preservation organizations and by this unique city on the sea.
Christopher Carlsmith is a professor of history and the department chair at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. He is author of A Renaissance Education: Schooling in Bergamo and the Venetian Republic, 1500–1650 (2010) and of numerous articles about the history of early modern education, the reception of Renaissance art and architecture during the Gilded Age in the USA, and the history of academic societies.
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Published: Friday, 06 March 2020 10:51
Lecture: Thursday, June 8th at 6:30 PM
The Whistler House Museum of Art (WHMA) is proud to host acclaimed artist and instructor Paul Ingbretson for a lecture, entitled "The Method is the School: Boston School Contrasted with the Academic," to accompany our newest exhibition, In the Light of the Past: The Students of Paul Ingbretson.
As a professional artist, teacher, and a modern-day exponent of the "Boston School," Paul Ingbretson shares his decades of experience with the WHMA. Ingbretson has organized his artistic approach around the values, work, analysis, and writings associated with the Boston School, as interpreted by the late R. H. Ives Gammell.
The Boston School began in the late 1800s, after several young artists from Boston traveled abroad to complete their education in Europe. Having already received the basics of art training in America, they studied with the salon style of "academic" art in Paris and Munich. There, they became fascinated with artists like Diego Velasquez and Claude Monet, who were focusing on form and color in painting above all else.
This sound instruction in drawing and painting from a young age, direct exposure to some of the finest painters in Europe at the time, and an introduction to impressionist color formed the basis of what would become the Boston School.
Paul Ingbretson is a top tier professional artist, teacher, and leading modern-day exponent of what became known as the "Boston School" of American art. His background includes several years at the Art Students League of New York alongside many of their top artists. Ingbretson ultimately organized his artistic approach around the values, work, analysis, and writings associated with the "Boston School," as interpreted by the late R. H. Ives Gammell. Paul is equally adept and talented in painting portraits, interiors, still lifes, and landscapes, and teaches privately in Lawrence, Massachusetts and Haverhill, New Hampshire. He was a long serving president of the prestigious Guild of Boston Artists, which was initially formed at the beginning of the 20th Century by the artists responsible for the evolution of the "Boston School."
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Published: Friday, 06 March 2020 10:51
Lecture: Wednesday, August 16th at 6:30 PM
The Whistler House Museum of Art (WHMA) is proud to once again host acclaimed artist and instructor Paul Ingbretson for a lecture, entitled "The Abstract Connection: Exploring Art through Whistler and Degas."
In 1855, James McNeill Whistler arrived in Paris, determined to alter the world of art forever. Here, he became acquainted with esteemed artists Gustav Courbet, Alphonse Legros, and Henri Fantin-Latour, as well as the then emerging artist, Edgar Degas. Both Whistler and Degas were fascinated with depictions of everyday life, of the people, places, and events central to Parisian culture.
Edgar Degas, Dancers in Blue, 1890, Oil on canvas, 33.5 x 29.6 in., Musée d'Orsay.
This love for music, architecture, and culture encouraged the artists to push the boundaries of art, to strive for perfection through abstraction. For Degas, this meant using loose brushstrokes with bright, pastel colors. For Whistler, abstraction meant conveying emotion and tone through aesthetics.
While their specific styles differed, their intentions were the same: to turn painting away from simply illustrations, instead stressing beauty over subject. As Whistler preached in his later artistic career — "Art for art's sake."
Paul Ingbretson, a professional artist and instructor, delves into the personal and artistic relationship between world-renowned artists Whistler and Degas. By combining decades of art history knowledge with his experiences as an artist, Ingbretson encourages visitors to take a closer look at art, finding themselves in the brushwork of two of the greatest artists to ever live.
James McNeill Whistler, At the Piano, 1858–1859, Oil on canvas, 26 5/8 x 36 3/4 in., Taft Museum of Art.
Paul Ingbretson is a top tier professional artist, teacher, and leading modern-day exponent of what became known as the "Boston School" of American art. His background includes several years at the Art Students League of New York alongside many of their top artists. Ingbretson ultimately organized his artistic approach around the values, work, analysis, and writings associated with the "Boston School," as interpreted by the late R. H. Ives Gammell. Paul is equally adept and talented in painting portraits, interiors, still lifes, and landscapes, and teaches privately in Lawrence, Massachusetts and Haverhill, New Hampshire. He was a long serving president of the prestigious Guild of Boston Artists, which was initially formed at the beginning of the 20th Century by the artists responsible for the evolution of the "Boston School."
Cover images: James McNeill Whistler, detail of Symphony in White and Red, ca. 1868, Oil on millboard mounted on wood panel, 18.7 x 24.25 in., Freer Gallery of Art.
Edgar Degas, detail of The Cafe Concert (The Song of the Dog), 1875-1877, Gouache and pastel, 20.4 x 16.8 in. Private Collection.
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Published: Friday, 06 March 2020 10:51
The Art of Tasting Wine
at the Whistler House Museum of Art
Thursday, May 16th at 6:30 PM
Do you wish you knew more about wine, but are unsure of where to start?
Join the Whistler House Museum of Art (WHMA) for an evening of wine tasting, education, and enjoyment led by Certified Specialist of Wine Paul R. Gerry!
Over the course of the evening, guests will sample from four varieties of wine (red, white, sparkling, and dessert), learning more about wine tasting notes and food pairings. Additionally, to accompany the WHMA's newest exhibition, Patrick McCay: A Thematic Retrospective - Explore, Exploit, Express, guests will discuss works of art carefully curated to pair with each wine sampling.
Tickets are $40 per person and can be purchased below. Admission includes four wine samplings, light refreshments, hors d'oeuvres, and a special gift.
Space is limited so reserve a spot today!
You must be 21 or older to attend.
Paul R. Gerry is a longtime resident of the Merrimack Valley, whose interest in wine began while traveling globally in late 1980s. Traveling for work to Germany, the Netherlands, France, Italy, Israel, and Mexico, he was exposed to the international world of wine and spirits. After earning graduate degrees in Business Administration and Electrical Engineering from UMass Lowell, Paul began a serious study of wine and spirits.
He holds a Diploma in Wine from the Wine and Spirits Educational Trust London as well as a Certified Specialist of Wine from the Society of Wine Educators. He holds the Wine Studies Level Four Certificate from the Elizabeth Bishop Wine Resource Center at Boston University's Metropolitan College where he studied under Masters of Wine Bill Nesto and Sandy Block, and has studied under Masters of Wine holding a Level 1 Certificate from the Court of Master Sommeliers.
Paul travels internationally leading global product development teams for Bose Automotive, where he continues to make connections and life-long friends through wine. Paul reminds wine drinkers that the most important aspect in enjoying wine is knowing what you like and finding it no matter the menu.
