L. D. M. Sweat Memorial Galleries

The L. D. M. Sweat Memorial Galleries are a series of art galleries that are part of Portland Museum of Art in Portland, Maine.

History

The Galleries were built in 1911 by Maine architect John Calvin Stevens. They were opened and named to honor the husband of the Portland Museum of Art benefactor, Margaret Jane Mussey Sweat (1823—1908). The building was designed to fit the outlay of the architecture of the McLellan House,the main building of the PMoA. http://www.portlandmuseumofart.org/Images/1452/gtarch_hendry.pdf]

Collection Focus

The Galleries primary focus is on 19th-century and 20th American art—sculpture, furniture, decorative arts, and paintings, with specific emphasis on a large collection of works by Winslow Homer. The works of art in the Galleries are an attempt, as stated by the museum's board to:

...reflect the changing customs, tastes, and concerns of Americans who created, purchased, and commissioned them. In these galleries, you will travel back through the history of art in the United States. The journey begins with works created on the eve of the 20th century that look back to the United States' rich history and forward to the challenges of a new era. These give way to the lush portraits, still lifes, and exotic scenes that represent the height of academic painting in America and the tastes of a cultivated and wealthy leisure class.

[http://www.portlandmuseum.org/about/facts/sweat.shtml L. D. M. Sweat Memorial Galleries ] ]

Works in Collection

The Galleries feature many 19th and 20th century American artists, including:

*Benjamin Paul Akers
*Hiram Powers
*Franklin Simmons
*Jim Dine
*Jasper Johns
*Robert Motherwell
*Claes Oldenburg
*Robert Rauschenberg
*Alison Saar
*Andy Warhol

Publicity

In 2001, there was an open house at the Galleries, where modern artists created works to enhance the gallery collection and yet fit in with the existing art and decor. Artists involved in the project included Jonathan Bailey, Paul D'Amato, Tonee Harbert, Rose Marasco, Tanja Alexia Hollander, and Bernard C. Meyers. The first exhibition was new work by Sa Schloff. [http://www.absolutearts.com/artsnews/2001/04/17/28415.html Open House: New Work by Sa Schloff - Portland Museum of Art - Absolutearts.com ] ]

The Galleries have been recently featured in the Portland Journal of Antiquities, as well. [http://www.journalofantiques.com/Oct02/featureoct02.htm Portland Museum of Art, Journal of Antiques & Collectibles Feature Article October 2002 ] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.portlandmuseum.org/ Portland Museum of Art website] .