In what is being described as one of the most beautiful exhibits to come to The Albright-Knox Art Gallery in recent memory, Humble and Human features more than forty paintings and sculptures by artists including Paul Cézanne, Edgar Degas, Paul Gauguin, Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, Berthe Morisot, Camille Pissarro, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. The Albright-Knox Art Gallery, in partnership with the Detroit Institute of Arts, present ‘s Humble and Human, an exhibition in celebration of Ralph C. Wilson, Jr., a philanthropist, business leader, and advocate for the citizens of Western New York and Southeast Michigan—regions he called home. The Albright-Knox will host the first cultural exchange between these two museums, from now to May 26, 2019, and the exhibition will be on view at the Detroit Institute of Arts from June 23 to October 13, 2019.
The Buffalo installation will also spotlight works by Mary Cassatt, Childe Hassam, Winslow Homer, Willard Leroy Metcalf, John Singer Sargent, and other American artists inspired by the novel approach of the Impressionists and their expression of modern life.
This exhibition was co-organized by the Albright-Knox Art Gallery and the Detroit Institute of Arts in honor of the hundredth anniversary of Mr. Ralph C. Wilson, Jr.’s birth. A resident of Detroit and founding owner of the Buffalo Bills, Mr. Wilson amassed a small but impressive collection of paintings by Impressionist artists during his life-time. Mr. Wilson was known for his dedication to community philanthropy, and was a lover of Impressionist artists who were known for capturing beautiful scenes from every day life, with out much detail but featuring bold colors.
Humble and Human is accompanied by a publication, which includes an essay written by Richard R. Brettell, a leading scholar on Impressionism and French painting of the period 1830–1930 and Founding Director of The Edith O’Donnell Institute of Art History and the Margaret M. McDermott Distinguished Chair of Art and Aesthetic Studies at the University of Texas at Dallas.
Erie County Free Week
Also, today the Albright-Knox Art Gallery announced the return of Erie County Free Week beginning on Saturday, February 16, and continue through Saturday, February 23. The week is sponsored by Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz to give residents, as well as families, children, students, an opportunity to experience world-class art in all its forms free of charge.
“Our mission as a museum is to serve our community as a catalyst for learning, creativity, and social engagement,” said Janne Sirén, Peggy Pierce Elfvin Director of the Albright-Knox Art Gallery. “Each year, Erie County’s generous commitment supports a wide range of inspirational art classes, groundbreaking exhibitions, and a Public Art Initiative, which helps us share beautiful artworks across Western New York. We are deeply grateful to Erie County for its continued support of our museum and we invite all our fellow citizens to visit us during Erie County Free Week and year-round.”
Exhibitions on view during Erie County Free Week include:
- Humble and Human: An Exhibition in Honor of Ralph C. Wilson, Jr.
- We the People: New Art from the Collection
- To Point a Naked Finger: Christine Sun Kim and Thomas Mader
- Htein Lin: A Show of Hands.
To see what events and tours are happening, use the “Plan Your Visit” page on our website and choose your proposed date: www.albrightknox.org/plan-your-visit.
MUSEUM HOURS: Tuesday through Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm. M&T FIRST FRIDAYS @ THE GALLERY takes place on the first Friday of every month from 10 am to 10 pm. Closed Mondays and Independence, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Days. Admission is $12 for adults; $8 for seniors and students; $6 for youth ages 6 to 18; FREE for Albright-Knox Members and children 5 and under. Additional fees may apply for certain special exhibitions. For additional information, please visit www.albrightknox.org. Admission to this special exhibition is Pay What You Wish on M&T FIRST FRIDAYS @ THE GALLERY.
This exhibition is organized in Buffalo by Godin-Spaulding Curator & Curator for the Collection Holly E. Hughes and in Detroit by Jill Shaw, Rebecca A. Boylan and Thomas W. Sidlik Curator of European Art, 1850–1970. Additional materials for this exhibition have been generously provided by C2 Paint. Equipment and technical support provided by Advantage TI. The exhibition and catalogue have been generously underwritten by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation.