B-8
Friday, October 23, 1970
University Daily Kansan
Patronize Kansan Advertisers KU Art Museum
...
By KATHY KRUGER
Kansan Staff Writer
"The past year has been a mixture of triumph and near failure. I have met Bret Waller, director of the University of Kansas Museum of Art in the latest issue of Visual Communication, a publication of the museum.
Waller's statement is indicative of the feelings he has toward the staff in his attempt to build and improve collections and exhibits in museums. He claims, is both unsafe and lacks the facilities required properly to operate a museum.
A lack of space also plagues the Eldredge, Elfordtown and much of the East and oriental ceramic collections were in storage due to a lack of exhibition space.
As a result of the unsafe conditions, about 75 works were put in safe storage in a fireproof building until the situation could
Charles Eldridge, museum curator, discussed the physical items in the exhibit at the art museum building, presents. An old building, primarily a former schoolhouse, would offer little protection for the art piece if a fire were to occur.
Climate control, a necessary feature if the museum is to preserve its condition, is available only in the main gallery on the first floor. Eldridge said this was achieved during dry winter months but that this was an unfortunate development; we have to deal with the problem.
be remedied. Among those stored were most of the works in the Samuel H. Kress Study Collection and the paintings of Winslow Impressions, Theodor Rombouts and Edward Manet, to name a few.
To name a single work that would be missed by returning musicians tremely difficult, Wailer said, but if one were to be singled out, it perhaps would be the "Madonna of the Troubleshooter" shedsher, which dominated the entrance to the museum's media gallery until it was moved for display.
A statement written by Waller hangs in the Roemerenschneider "Madonna." It summarizes the crisis faced by the museum in its efforts.
Waller said, "Until April 21 1908, this space was occupied by the most important works of a most portant works of the Madonna and Child" (ca. 1499) by Tilman Riemenschneider and Eriacopter of the late Gothic period.
"in April, following the Student
Arts League about 75 other interested works of art were removed from the museum to a place of greater
"The present inadequacies of this building, Spooner all, have been solved. If you return the works removed, until such time as urgently needed, your work should be completed."
Welcome Back to the Hill, Alumni!
955 Iowa 843-4700
works given by the Gene Woolnough family. The Rosenquist work is a part of this collection which Eldridge said had gone a long way to fill the gaps in the museum's collection of modern art.
"We deeply regret the necessity for depriving museum owners of our greatest treasures of seeing them, our museum staff, however, have the responsibility of insuring that these are preserved for the future. Until the University is able to fulfill its obligation to provide safe and adequate housing for our students in university collections, it will be necessary to keep many of our most important works of art in safe storage. Please accept our permission to use this inconvenience."
Changes which Waller see as necessary to both enlarge the basement and include features include the addition of a wing to Spooner, a remodeling of the basement gallery and the addition of a number of safety features.
While the museum serves as a source of enjoyment to many people, its primary function is that of a teaching museum. In this capacity, the museum attempts to make a difference in major styles and artists, Eldredge said, but is hampered in this capacity as many of the works are in the public domain.
Representative of the older works on display is "Salome with the head of John the Baptist" by Petrius Cornellus von Ryck and James Rosenquist Out" by James Rosenquist an extremely modern work.
In spite of the many problem-facing the museum and its directors, their outlook for the immediate future is not all dark. The art museum's basement gallery is a collection of some 60 works acquired by the museum in the past 16 months. Artistic periods represented in the show run from the start to contemporary, Eldredge said.
Also in the show are a number of photographs collected under the guidance of Prof. Enyeart, curator for museum education. Enyeart is quite interested in photography as a fine art medium and uses this collection for the KU museum. Those on exhibit data from 485 to 980 photographs may be of historical importance, they have been collected as examples to exemplify their aesthetic qualities.
A number of items from the Maitake Kade gift to bold master painter Katsuki Yamaguchi. Although some of these were displayed in Spencer Library last spring shortly after the museum's reopening, they have been displayed in the Museum and before alaed at $100,000. $400,000 of etchings, engravings and lithographs is the largest single gift received by the museum in its history.
Another large gift recently received by the museum is a large collection of contemporary
Most of the major, well-known works which the museum now has include "This," in many cases, means sculpture. Among these are "The Fall," a work by the famous panium in the rear of the medieval alter, an example of its period of Damanian and "St. Cosmas," two large lindenwood sculptures by the artist.
Works in the KU Museum of Art cover a broad spectrum of periods and media and are representation of art's works in various media.
On entering the museum, a first-time visitor will probably be drawn to the main gallery which features the most important and the medieval gallery behind it. In the main gallery one may number of portraits, many paintings, sculptures, some sculpture, a colorful frieze and a large, if not freshly and a large, "Adoration" painted wood, terra cotta and cloth, which was done by several artists.
The medieval gallery -- devoted to works of religious inspiration. Surrounded by the building's great rooms, depictions of martyrs, one can see how the God-centered culture of medieval Europe was reflected in art and architecture during the period. Eldredge said the museum's medieval and 17th and 18th century collections were its own treasure trove of decorative and research aspects.
Climbing either of the museum's starcase to the upper floor and stepping off onto one of two large furniture pieces. On the left is an intricate mirror with tracery and lined panels dating from about the 15th century. On the right is an early enamel cupboard from Germany.
Reaching the upper gallery, one can see a variety of works by artists from the early century tapestries from Brussels to a selection of very connoisseurial work. A large center room, with a number of American artists, paintings and sculpture. Among the artists represented are Carole Poppy in West and Thomas Sully. One sculpture, "Why Don't You Speak for Yourself, John?" depicts a questioning Priscilla.
Smaller rooms off the center gallery are each devoted to exhibits of specific periods or items.
One is filled with medals, plaques and dimensional objects. "Sea Horse" by Giovanni Francesca (1628) from the Kress Study Collection still housed in the museum. Along with it are a number of porcelain sculptures and sculptures in silver, bronze, porcelain, alabaster, tera cotta
A second room holds the Thayer Memorial Collection of silver, part of the museum's first collection of figurines. The 21 figurines are varied in subject and number of figures in the pieces. Some depict pastoral scenes or animals while others serve as beads of mythological inspiration.
Moving to another gallery on the museum's upper floor, one is surrounded by works primarily in black and white -prints,
Continued on page B-9
candlelight atmosphere
Dine in
U. S. choice steaks.
Finest sea foods
Open 4:30
Closed Monday
1½ Ml. N. of Kaw River Bridge VI3-1431
Now Entering Spooner Museum
... 'little protection if a fire starts'
Eagle Guards Entrance
... main gallery holds American works
Lawrence Ice Company for all your party needs
Case lot beer,
Keg beer,
Picnic supplies
Ice
616 Vt.
Open to 10 p.m.
843-0350