The Washington State University Museum of Art’s summer exhibition, “The Changing Shape of Landscape,” opens June 26 in the museum’s exhibit area at the Fine Arts Center.
This exhibit’s summer hours are noon-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday and Thursday until 7 p.m.
Along with works by Keith Monahan and William McDermott will be George Inness’ work, “Evening Landscape, 1862.” Evening Landscape is a seminal work in the museum’s permanent collection and will soon be included in the traveling exhibition “The Art of George Inness: A Visionary Perspective.” The retrospective is curated and created by the National Academy of Design’s Museum and School of Fine Arts in New York.
“It is with great pleasure that we share the beauty of our George Inness work with others,” said Roger Rowley, curator for the Museum of Art. “Long enjoyed by the local community, it will now reach an appreciative audience around the country.”
Inness’ Evening Landscape has been on exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The piece was originally donated in 1948 to WSU by Dr. and Mrs. William E. Boeing. Until the acquisition and restoration of the piece by the Fine Arts Center in 1974, the work was on display in Bryan Hall and was eventually stored in Holland Library as part of the Holland Collection.
Inness distinguished himself in the late 19th century as one of, if not the premiere painter of modern or expressive landscapes. What set Inness apart from some of his counterparts of the time such as Thomas Cole, Jasper Crospey and Sanford Gifford was his personal representation of idyllic and often civilized or settled landscapes, museum officials said.
To Inness the subject of a painting was less important than personal form of creation. Inness created works which were often described as “more of a painting than a picture.” He was heavily influenced by the styles of both the Old Masters and later in his life, Barbizon art. Inness died in 1894 at the age of 69.
In August, Inness’ painting will join the traveling exhibit, “The Art of George Inness: A Visionary Perspective.”
Funding for the museum exhibitions and programs for the fiscal year is provided by WSU, the Friends of the Museum of Art, the WSU Foundation and private donors. Additional support for educational programs has been provided by Pullman Kiwanis Club, Pullman Lions Club, Pullman Parks and Recreation and private donors.
