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| Nathaniel Hone, The Spartan Boy, A Portrait of Camillius Hone, The Artist's Son, c. 1775. Private collection. Photo Courtesy of Pyms Gallery. |
If you have not yet seen the Ireland:Crossroads of Art and Design, 1690-1840
exhibition currently at the Art Institute of Chicago, it’s not too late. The exhibition has been extended through June
21, 2015 and is a feast for the eyes and soul.
The expansive exhibition is a
celebration of 18th century Ireland’s decorative and fine arts,
bringing together more than 300 objects that include impressive elements such
as paintings, furniture, silver, textiles, books, musical instruments, ceramics,
glass, arms & militaria.
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| John Egan. Portable Harp, c. 1820. The O'Brien Collection. Photo: Jamie Stukenberg, Professional Graphics. |
It is only fitting that the exhibition should take place in Chicago, a city rich in Irish heritage and is shared by the Art Institute's dedication to Irish visual culture. The Art Institute of Chicago's Irish collections serves as the nucleus for the exhibition, along with significant objects with an Irish provenance on loan from the Snite Museum of Art at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, Loyola University Museum of Art, the Newberry Library and the American College of Surgeons.
While visitors to the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago were introduced to "the quaint charms of rural Ireland," it was from 2007 until 2011 that Desmond FitzGerald, 29th Knight of Glin freely shared his ideas that supported the Art Institute of Chicago to realize a much more comprehensive vision. The Art Institute is the first and only venue to present this exhibition.
While visitors to the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago were introduced to "the quaint charms of rural Ireland," it was from 2007 until 2011 that Desmond FitzGerald, 29th Knight of Glin freely shared his ideas that supported the Art Institute of Chicago to realize a much more comprehensive vision. The Art Institute is the first and only venue to present this exhibition.
The viewer has the opportunity to wander throughout the ten galleries with works of art representing 24 Irish countries, thematically organized for optimum experiences of "moments" and "snapshots" of Irish tradition.
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| John Kirkhoffer, Secretary Cabinet, 1732. Dublin, Ireland. Art Institute Chicago, Gift of Robert Allerton |
After absorbing the exhibition's many cultural delights, patrons are invited to pay a visit to a temporary Irish pub located in the museum's Café Moderno.
Ireland: Crossroads of Art and Design 1690-1840 offers the next best experience to visiting the country.
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| Samuel Walker. Two-Handled Cup and Cover, c.1761-66. Dublin, Ireland. Philadelphia Museum of Art, Gift of an anonymous donor, 2008. |
Exhibition Special Events:
Author Talk: Emma Donoghue
Thursday, May 28, 2015
Fullerton Hall
6:00pm
Irish-born prize winning author and historian Emma Donoghue will join museum visitors for a talk about Raising the Dead. Donoghue will reflect on her Irish background and the techniques of her fact-inspired fiction that draws on real Irish lives, at home and abroad, from the 14th to 19th century.
Free with museum admission; free admission for Illinois residents Thursdays from 5:00-8:00pm.
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Ceili at the Crossroads
Saturday, June 6, 2015
2:00pm-3:00pm
A concert of traditional Irish music performed by an extraordinary ensemble of world-class musicians. The performance features music from the CD recorded to accompany the exhibition.
