Conservation Examination: "Portrait of the Artist's Daughters", 1763. by Thomas Gainsborough (1727-1788)

Portrait of the Artist's Daughters, 1763. by Thomas Gainsborough

The Gainsborough being examined by Edmond de Beaumont at WAM, 1940's

Helen Bigelow Merriman: An Early WAM Benefactor. A Portrait by Cecelia Beaux (1855-1942)

Helen Bigelow Merriman, 1908. by Cecelia Beaux (1855-1942)

     "The portrait of Helen Bigelow Merriman was painted in 1908. Merriman was chosen as a subject because she was a woman of society, and also an artist herself. Yount mentioned that Merriman was ten years Beaux’s senior and withdrew from the Boston art world after her marriage in 1874 and birth of her child in 1876 and focused on writing. Beaux, on the other hand, could not reconcile her career with marriage and motherhood, and therefore chose to remain single. Yount reminded us that the need to choose between career or marriage was a frequent hurdle for women artists in the 1870’s." -Worcester Women's History Project

Conservation X-Ray Examination: "An Old Woman Praying", 1655. by Nicolaes Maes (1634-1693)

"An Old Woman Praying", 1655. by Nicolaes Maes (1634-1693)

An X-Ray of "An Old Woman Praying", 1655. by Nicolaes Maes (1634-1693) reveals that it was painted over another "Portrait of a Woman". 

X-Ray of "An Old Woman Praying", 1655. by Nicolaes Maes

Natalie, 1917. by Frank W. Benson (1862-1951). Worcester Art Museum

Natalie, 1917. by Frank W. Benson (1862-1951)

Natalie, 1917. 

by Frank W. Benson (1862-1951)

Worcester Art Museum 

Frank W. Benson painting Natalie, 1917.

Natalie, 1917. by Frank W. Benson (1862-1951)

John Singer Sargent in Worcester, MA: Summer, 1890

Mrs. Edward L. Davis and Her Son, 1890. by John Singer Sargent

     John Singer Sargent arrived in Worcester, Massachusetts on June 3, 1890. He had come to fulfill a commission to paint a full-length portrait of Mrs. Edward L. Davis.

The Worcester Club- Elm Street, Worcester

     For four weeks, from the beginning of June to the beginning of July of 1890, John Singer Sargent rented a room at the Worcester Club on Elm Street in Worcester, Massachusetts.

The Worcester Club- Elm Street, Worcester

     Sargent executed two more portraits of prominent Worcester ladies, before briefly departing in July, 1890:

Mrs. Alexander H. Bullock, 1890. by John Singer Sargent

Lizzie B. Dewey, 1890. by John Singer Sargent

John Singer Sargent in Worcester, MA- 1890

Frederick S. Pratt House- 53 West St. Worcester, MA

     Returning to Worcester a month later, John Singer Sargent arrived at the 53 West Street home of Frederick S. Pratt on August 11, 1890, and stayed there for just over a week. During that time, Sargent painted two portraits of Pratt's daughter, Katharine.

Frederick S. Pratt House- 53 West St. Worcester, MA

Katharine Chase Pratt, 1890. by John Singer Sargent

Katharine Chase Pratt, 1895

Katharine Chase Pratt, 1890. by John Singer Sargent

Conservation X-Ray Examination: "The Astronomer", 1638. by Jusepe de Ribera (1591-1652)

The Astronomer, 1638. by Jusepe de Ribera

X-Ray Examinations of "The Astronomer" (1638) by Jusepe de Ribera reveal that the painting has been heavily patched and repaired, using a portion of another painting (note figure at top edge). 

X-Ray of "The Astronomer" by Jusepe de Ribera

New Gift: Paolo Veronese's "Venus Disarming Cupid", 1560

"Venus Disarming Cupid", 1560. by Paolo Veronese

     WAM recently received an important gift from Art collector Hester Diamond (mother of Beastie Boy Mike D). Mrs. Diamond has gifted "Venus Disarming Cupid", 1560 by Paolo Veronese (1528-1588) to the collection, strengthening the museum's Renaissance holdings.

Read the full article HERE

WAM Director Matthias Waschek with the Veronese

The Veronese in Hester Diamond's Apartment

In Search of Julien Hudson (2012 Exhibition)

Portrait of a Man (called a self portrait), 1839. By Julien Hudson

     Mysteries pertaining to Art, antiques and history have always been a personal source of intrigue, so this kind of exhibit really appeals to me.

     In Search of Julien Hudson: Free Artist of Color in Pre Civil War New Orleans, curated by William Keyes Rudolph, is an amazing exhibition on view now at the Worcester Art Museum. It traces the inspiration, development and influence in the all too short life and career of this nearly forgotten artist. Little is known about Julien Hudson's life (1811 - 1844), and even less is known about his mysterious death at age 33. This show tries to shed some light on the subject. Only six of Hudson's works are known to exist and those, along with paintings and sculpture by his teachers, contemporaries and followers are featured.

Visit the Worcester Art Museum website here: 

http://www.worcesterart.org/

Creole Boy with a Moth, 1835. By Julien Hudson

Portrait of a Young Girl with a Rose, 1834. By Julien Hudson

Portrait of a Lady. By Julien Hudson

Portrait of a Free Man of Color, 1835. By Julien Hudson

Jean Michel Fortier III, 1839. By Julien Hudson

Read a nice article in the Boston Globe here