images from the Gallery's collection

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MAG’s Permanent Collection

By Marjorie Searl, Chief Curator

When you visit the Memorial Art Gallery, you have an opportunity to see the art of the world and art from many ages, from antiquity to the present. Some of the works on view are part of temporary exhibitions – those exhibitions often include art from public and private collections around the world, and remain on view for several months. Most of the art that is on view on the first and second floor is from MAG’s permanent collection and much of it remains on view for years at a time. From the very first year that MAG opened – in 1913, nearly a century ago – many different examples of art have been ‘acquired’ for the permanent collection. Our visitors return again and again to see their favorites. A number of them are world-class examples – our three paintings by Monet, our African housepost by Olowe of Ise, Winslow Homer’s painting of his studio in Prout’s Neck, Maine.

If you were like I was before I knew more about museums, you might wonder how a work of art comes into the collection. I, as well as other members of the curatorial department, will be blogging about this and other things to help explain how MAG – and other museums – acquire works of art and how they make decisions about caring for and exhibiting the collection.

If you have questions or comments, please feel free to post them and we will try to respond.

Comments

Comment from phil spalma
Time: December 3, 2008, 7:59 pm

I WATCHED THE MIDTOWN SPECIAL,DID I UNDERSTAND 1987 ANNIVERSARY PAINTING
IS ON DISPLAY AT ART GALLERY?.WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT IT.
I MAY BE ONE OF THE PEOPLE IN IT,I SERVED ON THE TENANTS ASSOC.BOARD ALSO
AS ITS PRESIDENT.
MANY THANKS.

PHIL SPALMA

Comment from Ben
Time: December 7, 2008, 10:45 am

Just wanted to say thanks for starting the blog. Great to see it.

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