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Recent Acquisitions Releases Press Release Archive |
Tyler Collects III: The Watson and Emma Wise Collection September 12, 2002–January 19, 2003 Tyler Collects III is the third in a series of exhibitions highlighting treasures to be found in the private collections of our community. With the support of local collectors, the Tyler Museum of Art wishes to present various types of excellent artwork to our public. In doing so, the Museum encourages the sharing and appreciation of beautiful objects, as well as strengthens ties with the community it serves. The sharing of personal collections with the public through loans to the Tyler Museum of Art is not a new concept. Indeed, several exhibitions in the past have highlighted privately owned, museum-quality artwork. The Tyler Museum of Art plans to continue this tradition through focused exhibitions such as this one. The exhibition features 25 works by artists such as Narcisse Diaz de la Peña, Godfrey Kneller, Allan Ramsay, and Benjamin West. Narcisse Diaz de la Peña (French, 1807-1876) was born to Spanish painters who died when he was a child. He was taken in by a pastor living near Paris and worked as an apprentice colourist in Arsene Gillet's porcelain factory. There he became friends with artists Raffet, Cabat, and Troyon. Diaz copied works by Prud'hon and Correggio in the Louvre and incorporated their figures and subjects in later paintings such as Venus and Adonis and the Sleeping Nymph (both in the Musee d'Orsay in Paris.) His works are known for their rich color palette and his ability to render light. Godfrey Kneller (German, 1646-1723) settled in England and became the leading portraitist there in the late 17th and early 18th century. He studied in Amsterdam under Ferdinand Bol, a pupil of Rembrandt. Some of his most well-known works are The Chinese Convert (Kensington Palace, London, 1687) and Matthew Prior (Trinity College, Cambridge, 1700). Many other examples of his works can be found in the National Portrait Gallery, London. Allen Ramsay (Scottish, 1713-1784), the son of a poet, studied in London, Edinburgh, and Rome. In Italy, he was in contact with painters of the Baroque style, which was in vogue at that time. When he returned to London in 1739 he initiated what is known as the "English Noble Portrait". His portrait in this exhibition, entitled Miss Kimball, demonstrates Ramsay's beautiful and intimate painting style. Benjamin West (American, 1738-1820), best known for his paintings of historical scenes and portraits, was a leading artist of his time. He moved to England in 1763, where King George III commissioned him to execute portraits of members of the royal family and appointed him "historical painter to the court." West was a founder of the Royal Academy of Arts in London in 1768 and had a great influence on many young American painters who studied with him in London including Gilbert Stuart and Singleton Copley. Watson Wise was a Texas oilman who came to East Texas in 1930. He remained active in the oil business until his death in 1989, but he also contributed tremendously to many other interests and causes. His contributions, largely through the Watson W. Wise Foundation, were especially significant in the areas of health and education, and he also held several important assignments in international affairs. President Eisenhower appointed Mr. Wise a delegate to the United Nations Assembly in 1958-59 under Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge. He also served as special counsel on NATO's Schumann Plan and was a U.S. delegate to London for the Atlantic Congress in 1962. Mr. Wise funded eight dialysis centers, including one at East Texas Medical Center Hospital in Tyler in memory of his father, William A. Wise, who died of kidney failure in 1946. He also established the Watson W. Wise Medical Library at the University of Texas Health Center at Tyler. Mr. Wise funded emergency service units at George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D. C. and Scott and White Memorial Hospital in Temple. Higher education also benefitted from Mr. Wise's contributions. He funded the Watson and Emma Wise Cultural Arts Center and Wise Auditorium at Tyler Junior College, where he served as a trustee from 1950 to 1970. He also funded a wing in the Yale University library, his alma mater. Watson W. Wise died on September 9, 1989 in Tyler. Emma Wise still resides in Tyler and is an avid supporter of the Tyler Museum of Art and numerous other cultural and charitable organizations in the area. In a recent interview, Mrs. Wise was asked about the couple's interest in art. "Watson started collecting art in the 1950's. He attended Yale University, so in his early years he spent a lot of time in New York City. I think that's where he developed an interest in art. He was good friends with Dr. Harry Jenkins, President of TJC from 1946 to 1981, and Watson helped acquire art for the college in the 50's.""I met Mr. Wise at the Petroleum Ball in Dallas in 1965. Watson and I traveled extensively. We went to Russia and China on some of the very first tours offered to Western travelers. We went to Hong Kong numerous times, as well as Singapore, Bali, and India. In fact, we were married in 1966 in India at the U.S. Embassy. We toured Africa and South America, and we went to Europe every year—sometimes twice. Every place we visited was an adventure, and we explored out of the way places, always with an eye out for lovely and sometimes unusual pieces of art. We always went to museums, galleries, and antique shops. We purchased art pieces on many of our trips and carried back what we could. The pieces that were too big to carry on an airplane were shipped back to Tyler. I have many fond memories of our travels and our time together, and these works of art serve as cherished reminders of those experiences." There will be an opening reception on Thursday, September 12 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Museum. The exhibition, gallery talk, and reception are free and open to the public. A voluntary admission fee of $3.50 for adults, $1.50 for seniors and children is appreciated and helps fund Museum programs and exhibitions. The Tyler Museum of Art is located on the east side of the Tyler Junior College campus at 1300 S. Mahon. Museum hours are 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Sunday. The Museum is closed Mondays. |