Detroit Institute of Arts, Woodward Entrance 2016
People living in the Detroit Metro area need to know that the Detroit Institute of Arts’ (DIA) collection is among the top six in the United States, comprising a multicultural survey of human creativity from prehistory through the 21st century.
The museum contains 100 galleries of art from around the world, housing 65,000 works of art. The collection is valued at up to $3.1 billion according to a 2014 appraisal. The collection was in part due to the early curatorial work of William Valentiner, a scholar and art historian from Berlin, who was the director from 1924 to 1945 that laid the foundation for significant works of European, African, Asian, Native American, Islamic, and Ancient art. Diego Rivera’s Detroit Industry cycle of frescoes spans the upper and lower levels to surround the central grand marble court of the museum.
To celebrate the 2016 Christmas season, here are four works of art that are prominent in the DIA collection that depict and exemplify Christian imagery.
Gerard David, 1490 The Annunciation (NETHERLANDISH, 1450-1523) Medium Oil on oak panel, 13 x 9″ City of Detroit Purchase
Gerard David, the Netherlandish painter, in this early single perspective work, elevates the Archangel Gabriel in mid-air, to announce to Mary that she is with child, the Son of God. Guided here by an unusual depiction of the Holy Spirit, she reaches for her heart. David, best known for his altar pieces—in particular the assimilation of Italian art and the shifting focus from the traditional iconic image of the Virgin and Child to their portrayal as human presences—was influential to other painters. Known for his use of color, his religious scenes achieve a soft and serene use of light, and it comes later in the 19th century that he has a major influence on the painters in Bruges, and Antwerp.
Joos van der Beke van Cleve, Adoration of the Magi, 1525, Oil on oak panels Center panel: 35 x 25 1/2″ Each wing: 35 x 11″ Credit Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Edgar B. Whitcomb
A young colleague of David from Antwerp, Joos van Cleve, produced many versions of the Virgin and Child, and the Holy Family, which were very popular during his time. The triptych with gilded framing is a good example of his work, full of charm and tenderness that was popular with later collectors. Particular to this painting is how Joseph, from the house of David, plays such a prominent part with his adoration the newborn child.
Giovanni Bellini, Madonna and Blessing Child, 1509 Oil on Canvas
Traveling across Europe to Venice during the same period, Giovanni Bellini stands above all others, intimately associated with Madonna and Child, and not just in sheer numbers, but his ability to imbue his sacred images with such conviction. On a recent visit to Venice, I was fortunate to see an exhibition of his work in the City Museum at San Marco. It was on my return to Detroit that I realized this work, Madonna and Child, oil painting, 1509, was part of the DIA collection.
Born in Venice, Bellini was raised by his father, a painter in his own right, who allowed for some collaboration on his paintings, Crucifixion, and Descent of Christ into Limbo. Bellini developed an innovative style using traditional imagery and meaning but developed a proclivity and self-awareness that served him throughout his career. In many of these paintings, he adds landscapes as a backdrop to the subject, often filled with activity, but largely created a depth of space that gives the viewer a self-assured presence with the Madonna and her gaze. Ultimately, Bellini eliminated the parapet from his compositions and provided worshipers with a sacred visionary presence. The illusionistic tension between the beholder and the sacred figures becomes a dramatic force in Bellini’s work that separates him from so many painters of his time.
Fra Angelico, Madonna & Child with Angels, 1425/1430, Tempera and gold on panel 16.2 x 9.7″, Founders Society Purchase, Ralph Harman Booth Bequest Fund
In this painting, Mother and Child, the seated figure is surrounded by angels supported largely by primary colors, where the mother figure is the only one facing the viewer. Fra Angelico has succeeded in creating work that continues to reveal his preoccupation with humanity, humility and piety.
Fra Angelico was born in the Tuscan area of Mugello near Fiesole towards the end of the 14th century. The first record of Angelico as a friar dates from 1423, when he is first referred to as Fra Giovanni, following the custom of those entering a religious order of taking a new name. Although his long career began around 1417 when he worked at San Domenico convent in Fiesole between 1420 and 1440, I am most familiar with his fresco work that began in 1441 at San Marco convent in Florence, Italy. Living in the convent, away from the constraints of wealthy clients, his more that 30 meditative frescos depict the life of Christ while paying tribute to St. Dominic. Most famous is his Annunciation at the top of the staircase to the second floor of cells. The museum of San Marco is renowned for its work by Fra Angelico and the preservation of the Dominican Order.
Although all these paintings are part of the DIA collection, they rotate in and out of the European Gallery Collection and may or may not be on display in a gallery at this time.
I have know way of knowing, but there must be a celebratory atmosphere at the DIA, with the Grand-Bargain behind them, and a new President and CEO, Salvador Salort-Pons, who is motivated to make the museum the cultural center of the Detroit. He has just now, put in place, a new curator of Contemporary Art, Laurie Ann Farrell, along with two assistants, Lucy Mensah, and Taylor Renee Aldridge. In addition, there is a three-year multimillion-dollar commitment to African-American art, designed to bring Detroit’s majority black population into the museum.
During this holiday season, for the people in the Detroit metro area, there is much to appreciate and be grateful, for years to come.
5200 Woodward 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tue. -Thu., 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.-Sun.