The exhibition examines the diverse responses of artists to the social upheaval and economic distress that characterized American life in the 1930s. Together, the aesthetically and politically varied works produced in the 1930s paint a revealing portrait of the nation’s evolving psyche as it sought to move ahead through one of the country’s most challenging periods.
This fall, “Renewing the American Spirit: The Art of the Great
Depression” explores the physical and social landscape of the United
States during the Great Depression through paintings, prints,
photographs and other media. This original exhibition includes a
selection of works from the Oklahoma City Museum of Art’s
excellent collection of WPA art, a recently acquired monumental mural
by Gardner Hale, which has not been exhibited publicly since the First
President's bicentennial exhibition in 1932, and several loans from
regional institutions.
“Renewing the American Spirit” examines the diverse responses of artists to the social upheaval and economic distress that characterized American life in the 1930s. Together, the aesthetically and politically varied works produced in the 1930s paint a revealing portrait of the nation’s evolving psyche as it sought to move ahead through one of the country’s most challenging periods.
“The art of this time period provided artists with relief, documented the social injustices of the time and even functioned as forms of propaganda,” said Michael Anderson, director of curatorial affairs. “‘Renewing the American Spirit’ examines the formation of a new national identity, one that would prove short-lived aesthetically with the rise of the American avant-garde after the end of World War II, but far reaching politically through the creation of the New Deal coalition.”
‘“The Triumph of Washington,’ Gardner Hale’s monumental mural, adds to the Museum’s impressive holdings in Great Depression-era art,” added Anderson. “The painting presents a dynamic and triumphant fictionalized view of the general and head of state, on horseback, amidst flag-bearing soldiers, and in front of a looming twentieth century skyline. We are deeply grateful to D. Wigmore Fine Art for the gift of this major work and excited to include it as a focal point for this new exhibition.”
Gardner Hale was well known for his murals and frescoes in the early 1900s. He had a studio in NYC and was a member of the Architectural League of New York, National Society of Mural Painters, American Federation of Arts, Salons of America and Society of Independent Artists. His work has been exhibited at the Art Institute of Chicago, Society of Independent Artists and Salons of America.
“Renewing the American Spirit” examines the diverse responses of artists to the social upheaval and economic distress that characterized American life in the 1930s. Together, the aesthetically and politically varied works produced in the 1930s paint a revealing portrait of the nation’s evolving psyche as it sought to move ahead through one of the country’s most challenging periods.
“The art of this time period provided artists with relief, documented the social injustices of the time and even functioned as forms of propaganda,” said Michael Anderson, director of curatorial affairs. “‘Renewing the American Spirit’ examines the formation of a new national identity, one that would prove short-lived aesthetically with the rise of the American avant-garde after the end of World War II, but far reaching politically through the creation of the New Deal coalition.”
‘“The Triumph of Washington,’ Gardner Hale’s monumental mural, adds to the Museum’s impressive holdings in Great Depression-era art,” added Anderson. “The painting presents a dynamic and triumphant fictionalized view of the general and head of state, on horseback, amidst flag-bearing soldiers, and in front of a looming twentieth century skyline. We are deeply grateful to D. Wigmore Fine Art for the gift of this major work and excited to include it as a focal point for this new exhibition.”
Gardner Hale was well known for his murals and frescoes in the early 1900s. He had a studio in NYC and was a member of the Architectural League of New York, National Society of Mural Painters, American Federation of Arts, Salons of America and Society of Independent Artists. His work has been exhibited at the Art Institute of Chicago, Society of Independent Artists and Salons of America.
Gifted in 2017 by New York-based gallerist Deedee Wigmore of D. Wigmore Fine Art, Gardner Hale's epic canvas
Triumph of Washington gets a conservation grant just prior to its first public showing since the 1930s. It is now set to star in the Oklahoma City Museum of Art's new exhibition Renewing the American Spirit: The Art of the Great Depression, opening November 2.
Measuring about 14 feet high and 24 feet wide, the 1931 painting was one of the last works by Gardner Hale. The artist died in December 1931 at the age of 37 when his car plunged 500 feet off a cliff near Santa Maria, California.
Hale's massive Washington mural was displayed at the
Smithsonian in 1932, and then a previous owner had it rolled up. Eight
decades later, the piece will be renewed and on view.
This month, the Oklahoma City Museum of Art was selected as a 2019 Bank of America Art Conservation Project grant recipient to conserve Hale's Triumph of Washington. The grant funding will help preserve the monumental mural for future generations.
This large-scale painting—measuring 165” x 293”—has not been exhibited publicly since George Washington’s Bicentennial exhibition in 1932. Upon unrolling, abrasions and losses to the paint surface, stains, tears to the canvas, and water damage were discovered that require treatment before it can be publicly displayed in the upcoming exhibition Renewing the American Spirit: The Art of the Great Depression.
This month, the Oklahoma City Museum of Art was selected as a 2019 Bank of America Art Conservation Project grant recipient to conserve Hale's Triumph of Washington. The grant funding will help preserve the monumental mural for future generations.
This large-scale painting—measuring 165” x 293”—has not been exhibited publicly since George Washington’s Bicentennial exhibition in 1932. Upon unrolling, abrasions and losses to the paint surface, stains, tears to the canvas, and water damage were discovered that require treatment before it can be publicly displayed in the upcoming exhibition Renewing the American Spirit: The Art of the Great Depression.
“The Museum’s holdings in the area
of American art of the Great Depression remains one of the strengths of
its collection, beginning with twenty-eight works created as part of the
W.P.A.’s relief efforts during the second half of the 1930s,” said Dr.
Michael Anderson, Interim President and C.E.O. “Completed during the
early stages of the Great Depression, Hale’s Triumph of Washington features
General Washington on horseback, leading his troops before a modern
cityscape. Thanks to Bank of America, the conservation of this work will
further a preexisting area of strength in the Museum’s
collection—providing new avenues for interpretation of both Washington’s
legacy and the role of the arts in the Great Depression.”
On view through April 26, 2020, the exhibition examines the diverse
responses of artists to the social upheaval and economic distress that
characterized American life in the 1930s. Together, the aesthetically
and politically varied works produced in the 1930s paint a revealing
portrait of the nation’s evolving psyche as it sought to move ahead
through one of the country’s most challenging periods.
The conservation of Triumph of Washington by Gardner Hale is one of 22 Art Conservation Projects announced at this year’s recipient announcement event hosted by Bank of America on October 16 at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Recipients in 10 countries and 11 U.S. cities are receiving grant funding through the 2019 Bank of America Art Conservation Project.
The conservation of Triumph of Washington by Gardner Hale is one of 22 Art Conservation Projects announced at this year’s recipient announcement event hosted by Bank of America on October 16 at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Recipients in 10 countries and 11 U.S. cities are receiving grant funding through the 2019 Bank of America Art Conservation Project.
Triumph of Washington by
Gardner Hale is in select company as a 2019 recipient. The selection of
works being recognized as 2019 ACP recipients includes The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh and The Bather by Paul Cezanne – The Museum of Modern Art, New York.
