Etchings and Engravings

Jean Barbault (French, 1718-1762), after a painting by Francesco Solimena (Italian, 1657 – 1747)

Christopher Columbus Arriving in America

Barbault was a French painter, etcher, and printmaker, who worked in Rome for most of his life. This print shows the arrival of Columbus in America, with his ships in the background. He and his lieutenant are on awe of what they have discovered. A priest is blessing the moment. A soldier, with a haughty glance is ready to pillage.

Envisaging the functions of the fine art museum

First and foremost, it is important to remember that the fine art museum is one of three main wings of the Cultural and Events Center that is planned on the western slope of Eagle Hill. As envisaged, it will be architecturally and programmatically integrated in a seamless way with the center's music wing. The third wing will house the growing general library of the Institute.

While the museum will have galleries strictly dedicated for exhibiting works of art, it will also have larger galleries that can serve other functions. There are many fine noted precedents where musical peformances are staged within galleries of museums. The focus at this time on works of art from the 19th Century and earlier pairs well with the chamber concerts the institute offers, which mostly feature compositions from the 19th Century and earlier.

The museum will, of course, have full environmental controls for temperature and humidity as well, as a security system. These essentials will be important for caring for the in-house collection and will be a critical consideration for collectors who may be amenable to loaning works in their collection, or making legacy donations. Museums expect this when they loan works in their collection for a special exhibition.

Other consideratons ...

A conservation studio for works of art is under consideration. This will be important for the in-house collection, but it could also provide an important service for collectors in the care of their works of art that may, in the future, become part of a legacy gift to the museum.

The Library ... We received the donation by bequest of the personal fine art library of Donelson Farquhar Hoopes, former Director of the Portland Museum of Art, and an expert in American art history, especially of the Hudson River School. This forms the core of the Fine Art Library.

The architectural design ... We welcome involvement to help envisage the scale and design of the fine art museum wing. We will be sharing architectural designs options, with the goal of seeking ongoing comments as plans keep evolving.

A parallel campaign ... Our campaign for the fine art museum wing of the Cultural and Events Center is running in parallel with our campaign for the natural history sciences, which will fund a residential wing, making it possible for museum guests to stay overnight and linger at Eagle Hill.

Location ... We have committed to the expansion of the campus on the western slope of Eagle Hill. Those who have been to the western overlook, which we call “Lover’s Leap”, know how spectacular the views at sunset are overlooking Gouldsboro Bay, with Cadillac Mountain and Schoodic Head in the background. The overlook is designated as forever wild. The cultural and events center will be located North of it, but will offer comparable views from its different levels.