David Park’s oil painting “Standing Couple” is just one of more than 150 works highlighted in the Krannert Art Museum’s just-published, first-ever collection handbook.
Flipping through “Krannert Art Museum, Selected Works,” the casual observer may be amazed to find some of the biggest names in art history represented in the 358-page handbook and in the museum’s collection. The 9,000-piece collection – which is still the second largest fine arts collection in Illinois – includes works by such art-historical stars as William Blake, Louise Bourgeois, John Singleton Copley, Gustave Courbet, Albrecht Dürer, Frans Hals, Winslow Homer, Gustave Courbet, Robert Rauschenberg, Mark Rothko, Max Weber, Andy Warhol and Edward Weston. And the list goes on … and on.
The small, but densely packed, full-color publication serves not only as a guide to the collection – which spans ancient to contemporary eras – but as a portal to the university’s arts history as well.
“What makes this different, but not unique, are the handbook’s four inserts,” said museum director Kathleen Harleman, referring to the narrative inserts that provide a timeline of KAM events and chronicle the history and legacy of the university’s celebrated 1948-1974 Contemporary American Arts Festivals. Text for two of the inserts originally was published in an essay by UI art history alumna Muriel (Mickey) Scheinman in “No Boundaries: University of Illinois Vignettes” (UI Press), edited by Lillian Hoddeson.
“It’s interesting to learn about what the university has done over time to show its commitment to the arts,” Harleman said.
“Kathleen was instrumental in resurrecting the project and making it a real priority,” said Harleman’s assistant, Diane Schumacher. “Also the museum staff put in countless hours to make this book a reality.”
Harleman said the project was initiated by former KAM director Josef Helfenstein. She also credits long-time museum volunteers Jim Sinclair, who provided significant funding for the project served as chair as of the committee charged with working on the content, and Robert Smith, who also served on the handbook and research committees.
Designed by Chicago design firm Studio Blue, the handbook has what Harleman characterized as a “contemporary, zippy design.” Its somewhat compact, portable size makes it well-suited for museum visitors to carry along while touring the galleries.
Another notable feature of the handbook is its 60-plus essays by a diverse range of contributors – most of them from the campus and local communities.
“What I loved about the project is that it reflected what our community is – graduate students, faculty members, community members and docents,” Harleman said, adding that a handful of outside contributors were tapped for their expertise as well.
“My favorite part about it is this mix of voices that reflects who we are as an academic and community museum, and what we want to be.”
“Krannert Art Museum, Selected Works” The handbooks, which cost $39.95, will be available in early March by contacting the museum, 333-1861, kam@illinois.edu. A copy also will be available for checkout soon in the museum’s Giertz Education Center. iPod audio guides also will be available for checkout.