I first became acquainted with the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute (now just The Clark) in 1993 while a student at the Lyme Academy of Fine Art in Old Lyme, Connecticut.
Sterling and Francine Clark
The Clark Art Institute – Williamstown, MA
It was in March of that year that I drove to Williamstown to see this amazing museum, aptly called “a jewel box of a museum”. Nestled in the Berkshire Hills of far northwestern Massachusetts on 140 acres of woodlands, meadows, and hiking trails, the museum features some of the greatest names in 19th and early 20th century European and American art…Monet, Renoir, Turner, Homer, Sargent, Inness, Degas, Cassatt, Corot, Pissarro, Millet, Remington, Bouguereau, Gerome, Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema…and on-and-on.
John Singer Sargent – “Fumee d’Ambre Gris (Smoke of Ambergris)” – 55″x 36″ – Oil – 1880
(This is one of the first paintings purchased by the Clark’s)
Winslow Homer – “Undertow” – 30″x 48″ – Oil – 1886
This is one of Homer’s largest paintings and for many reasons considered one of the pivotal paintings of his career . Homer was a master of strong, dramatic design and for that reason one of my favorite painters. The painting is undoubtedly masterful and was recognized as such by the critics of his day. The painting does however bring a smile to my face for a number of reasons…two “damsels” in distress being rescued by two heroic, virile men. One of them actually seems to be striking a contemporary manly pose. According to experts, he is in reality shielding his eyes from the bright reflective light off the water, but I think it is still very humorous. Also, this painting has a sculptural , posed quality to it. The heroic figures really don’t seem to be straining nearly enough to actually be hauling two lifeless bodies to shore…and the beautiful woman doesn’t at all appear near death but is actually having a sweet dream. Just saying.
William Adolphe Bouguereau – “Nymphes et Satyre” – 102″x 71″ – Oil – 1873
Jean-Leon Gerome – “The Serpent Charmer” – 33″x 48″ – Oil – 1880
Sterling Clark was a wealthy New Yorker, being heir to the Singer Sewing Machine fortune. He married Francine, a French actress, and together they quietly and often anonymously assembled their brilliant collection. They collected to please themselves and to bring beauty into their lives. They were not guided by experts or advisors, nor did they devote their attention to a single artist or period. “I like all kinds of art, if it is good of its kind”, Sterling once said.
The Clark’s were private people, so when the museum opened in 1955, the art world was shocked to discover the quality and breadth of their collection. Sterling did not like or seek publicity and wrote to a friend shortly before the Institute’s opening: “Do not mention the opening of the Institute to anyone as you will treat me to a cloud of newspapermen to the detriment of my health.”
Charles Francois Daubigny – “The Bridge Between Persan and Beaumont-sur-Oise” – 15″x 26″ – Oil – 1867
Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema – “The Women of Amphissa” – 48″x 72″ – Oil – 1887
(This is one stunning, amazing, unbelievable painting)
George Inness – “The Wood Gatherers: An Autumn Afternoon” – 30″x 45″ – Oil – 1891
The Clark’s had developed excellent taste. I’m sure Francine’s French background greatly influenced their choice to collect so many works of the French Impressionists. Sterling was his own advisor and followed the advice he gave to others. “Look, look, and look again, and don’t be influenced by anyone in…likes and dislikes”, he said.
Since the museum’s opening, the collection has grown to more than 8000 objects. It has become only one of a few institutions in the country that is both a public art museum and a research and academic center supporting a library of over 200,000 volumes.
The 140 acres surrounding The Clark offer spectacular views. Here you can see the extensive expansion of the museum that was underway when I last visited in 2011.
Clark considered John Singer Sargent and Winslow Homer as America’s best artists…and they are both well represented in the museum. The most prized artist, however, seems to be the French Impressionist, Pierre Auguste Renoir, with more than 30 representative works.
The Clark has so many phenomenal works, stunning works of genius. It all makes one stand back in awe and amazement that God endowed humans with the ability to conceive and execute such beautiful and meaningful works.
If you have not experienced this great museum in northwest Massachusetts, you surely know by now that I strongly recommend it.
The Clark has an excellent website HERE
John Pototschnik is an Art Renewal Center Associate Living Master
To view his art and bio, please click HERE
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