August 31 - December 21, 2011
Contact: Thomas Moore
Director of Arts Management
410-455-3370
tmoore@umbc.edu
 Note: This release is available as a pdf file. |
The Albin O. Kuhn Library Gallery presents Legacy of Love: Italian Memorial Sculpture, photographs by Robert Fichter and Robert Freidus, on display from August 31 through December 21.
In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, dramatic social, political and artistic changes swept across Italy. These changes found expression in some of the most remarkable sculpture ever made. In the cemeteries that were constructed all over the Italian peninsula, starting from the Napoleonic period, funerary sculpture by renowned contemporary artists developed from relatively conventional Neoclassicism through ever more astonishing forms of Realism, informed in turn by Symbolism and Art Deco.
The emotional charge of this sometimes symbolic but more commonly hyper-realistic, often erotic and always arresting work is captured in this exhibition of specially taken photographs.
In a companion book to the exhibition, a scholarly text by Sandra Berresford analyzes the iconographic, cultural and art historical background to the works. Additional essays by Fred S. Licht and James Stevens Curl introduce the funerary art tradition and the European cemetery movement, while Francesca Bregoli and Franco Sborgi discuss the parallel Jewish tradition and the complex iconography of angels. This is the first study in English of this important collection of artworks, and the most comprehensive in any language. It also includes an extensive bibliography and a gazetteer of Italian cemeteries.
Public Lecture
On Tuesday, November 1 at 4 p.m., Robert Fichter and Robert Freidus will present a public talk on their work.
Gallery Information
The Albin O. Kuhn Library Gallery serves as one of the principal art galleries in the Baltimore region. Objects from the Special Collections Department, as well as art and artifacts from all over the world, are displayed in challenging and informative exhibitions for the University community and the public. Moreover, traveling exhibitions are occasionally presented, and the Gallery sends some exhibits on tour to other institutions nationwide. Admission to the Gallery and its programs is free.
Acknowledgements
The presentation of this exhibition is supported by an arts program grant from the Maryland State Arts Council, an agency funded by the State of Maryland and the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional support comes from the Friends of the Library & Gallery and other contributors.
Hours
Mon/Tue/Wed/Fri: 12 pm - 4:30 pm
Thursday: 12 pm - 8 pm
Sat/Sun: 1 pm - 5 pm
Telephone
General Gallery information: 410-455-2270
Web
UMBC Arts & Culture Calendar: http://www.umbc.edu/arts
Albin O. Kuhn Library Gallery: http://aok.lib.umbc.edu/gallery/
UMBC News Releases: http://www.umbc.edu/news
Images for Media
http://www.umbc.edu/newsevents/arts/hi-res/
Images in this release: Photographs by Robert Fichter and Robert Friedus, c. 2004: the Memorial for the Maggi-Via Family, sculpted by Giovanni Battista Lombardi (1859), and located in the Cimitero Vantiniano, Brescia, Italy; the Memorial to Tullo Morgagni, sculpted by Guido Micheletti (1921, 1930), and located in the Cimitero Monumentale, Milan, Italy; the "The Last Kiss," a Monument to Volonte Vezzoli, sculpted by Emilio Quadrelli (1889), and located in the Cimitero Monumentale, Milan, Italy. Courtesy of the artists.
Directions
UMBC is located approximately 10 minutes from downtown Baltimore and 20 minutes from I-495.
-- From Baltimore and points north, proceed south on I-95 to exit 47B. Take Route 166 toward Catonsville and then follow signs to the Walker Avenue Garage or Albin O. Kuhn Library.
-- From I-695, take Exit 12C (Wilkens Avenue) and continue one-half mile to the entrance of UMBC at the intersection of Wilkens Avenue and Hilltop Road. Turn left and follow signs to the Walker Avenue Garage or Albin O. Kuhn Library.
-- From Washington and points south, proceed north on I-95 to Exit 47B. Take Route 166 toward Catonsville and then follow signs to the Walker Avenue Garage or Albin O. Kuhn Library.
-- Daytime metered visitor parking is available in the Walker Avenue Garage. Visitor parking regulations are enforced on all University calendar days.
