Impressions of Niagara: Selections from the Charles Rand Penney Collection at the Burchfield-Penney Art Center
Impressions of Niagara: Selections from the Charles Rand Penney Collection of Niagara Falls Prints, dating from the seventeenth to the early twentieth century, is the most extensive in the world. From this collection, Christopher W. Lane, guest curator for the exhibition and proprietor of the Philadelphia Print Shop Ltd., selected 99 pieces for exhibition in the cities of Lille, France and Mouscron, Belgium in the fall of 2002 and will be on view at the Burchfield-Penney Art Center at Buffalo State College from October 11, 2003 through January 4, 2004 (members preview: October 10, 2003 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm).
From the late seventeenth century, North America was the subject of great interest to Europeans, with many characteristics that were well known: its vast wilderness, the Native American Indians, the rich variety of its natural resources, but with one exception, no single scene of North America stood out as representing the continent. That one exception was Niagara Falls, the most amazing waterfall then known to Europeans. In the absence of sophisticated cities, elaborate architecture or other known prominent natural features, Niagara Falls was soon established as an iconographical symbol of North America.
From 1697, when the first image of Niagara Falls appeared, until the present day, artists of almost every country have created images of this famous site in a variety of media. Niagara Falls has been pictured in countless paintings and photographs, but most influentially, in a huge body of printed images. Prints of Niagara Falls have appeared in books, magazines and newspapers, on maps and as separately issued frameable art.
From Father Louis Hennepins first image of the Falls in 1697 to a 1901 poster that celebrates the Spirit of Niagara, the Penney Collection contains over 750 images of the cataract, including almost every major print produced in America and Europe. With its great scope and depth, this collection provides a fascinating panorama of the evolving image, not only of Niagara Falls itself, but also of one of the most lasting symbols of the New World.
This exhibit of highlights presents an overview of the Penney Collection, with a particular emphasis on prints with a European viewpoint. The subject remains the same throughout, but the presentation varies tremendously. This exhibit is about the story of the changing representation of Niagara Falls in print.
Support for this exhibition was provided by Harter, Secrest & Emery LLP, First Niagara Bank, Maid of the Mist, Buffalo State College, the Buffalo-Lille Association and MTL-ACTS.
Two childrens workshops will be held in conjunction with this exhibition:
These workshops are offered free of charge, and there is no museum admission fee on these days. Children 6 years and older are welcome with accompanying adult. Call (716) 878-6020 to register.
Cut, Roll and Print! on Sunday, October 19th 1 3 p.m.
Following a visit to the exhibition, art teacher Carleen Dixon will guide participants in the creation of relief prints inspired by images of Niagara Falls.
In Living Color on Sunday, November 23, 1 3 p.m.
In this workshop, Ms. Dixon will focus on using watercolor to hand color prints imitating techniques that were used in the early nineteenth century.
About the Burchfield-Penney Art Center
The Burchfield-Penney Art Center is a museum dedicated to the art and vision of Charles E. Burchfield and distinguished artists of Buffalo Niagara and Western New York State. Through its affiliation with Buffalo State College, the museum encourages learning and celebrates our richly creative and diverse community. For more information, call (716) 878-6011 or visit www.burchfield-penney.org.
The Burchfield-Penney Art Center is supported in part with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts and County of Erie. Additional operating support is provided by the Elizabeth Elser Doolittle Trust, the Mary A. H. Rumsey Foundation and the Burchfield-Penneys members.
From the late seventeenth century, North America was the subject of great interest to Europeans, with many characteristics that were well known: its vast wilderness, the Native American Indians, the rich variety of its natural resources, but with one exception, no single scene of North America stood out as representing the continent. That one exception was Niagara Falls, the most amazing waterfall then known to Europeans. In the absence of sophisticated cities, elaborate architecture or other known prominent natural features, Niagara Falls was soon established as an iconographical symbol of North America.
From 1697, when the first image of Niagara Falls appeared, until the present day, artists of almost every country have created images of this famous site in a variety of media. Niagara Falls has been pictured in countless paintings and photographs, but most influentially, in a huge body of printed images. Prints of Niagara Falls have appeared in books, magazines and newspapers, on maps and as separately issued frameable art.
From Father Louis Hennepins first image of the Falls in 1697 to a 1901 poster that celebrates the Spirit of Niagara, the Penney Collection contains over 750 images of the cataract, including almost every major print produced in America and Europe. With its great scope and depth, this collection provides a fascinating panorama of the evolving image, not only of Niagara Falls itself, but also of one of the most lasting symbols of the New World.
This exhibit of highlights presents an overview of the Penney Collection, with a particular emphasis on prints with a European viewpoint. The subject remains the same throughout, but the presentation varies tremendously. This exhibit is about the story of the changing representation of Niagara Falls in print.
Support for this exhibition was provided by Harter, Secrest & Emery LLP, First Niagara Bank, Maid of the Mist, Buffalo State College, the Buffalo-Lille Association and MTL-ACTS.
Two childrens workshops will be held in conjunction with this exhibition:
These workshops are offered free of charge, and there is no museum admission fee on these days. Children 6 years and older are welcome with accompanying adult. Call (716) 878-6020 to register.
Cut, Roll and Print! on Sunday, October 19th 1 3 p.m.
Following a visit to the exhibition, art teacher Carleen Dixon will guide participants in the creation of relief prints inspired by images of Niagara Falls.
In Living Color on Sunday, November 23, 1 3 p.m.
In this workshop, Ms. Dixon will focus on using watercolor to hand color prints imitating techniques that were used in the early nineteenth century.
About the Burchfield-Penney Art Center
The Burchfield-Penney Art Center is a museum dedicated to the art and vision of Charles E. Burchfield and distinguished artists of Buffalo Niagara and Western New York State. Through its affiliation with Buffalo State College, the museum encourages learning and celebrates our richly creative and diverse community. For more information, call (716) 878-6011 or visit www.burchfield-penney.org.
The Burchfield-Penney Art Center is supported in part with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts and County of Erie. Additional operating support is provided by the Elizabeth Elser Doolittle Trust, the Mary A. H. Rumsey Foundation and the Burchfield-Penneys members.
Media Contact:
Kathleen Heyworth, Public Relations, Burchfield-Penney Art Center | 7168784529 | heyworkm@buffalostate.edu