"Self Portrait," Cecilia
Beaux, 1892. Oil on canvas.
NEW YORK CITY - ": Women of the Academy, 1826-2003" will examine
the role of women in the history of the National Academy of
Design and by extension, women's role over the past two centuries
in the American art world at large.
This exhibition, comprising more than 60 paintings, sculptures
and works on paper, includes works by Louise Bourgeois, Isabel
Bishop, Mary Cassatt, Helen Frankenthaler, Elaine de Kooning,
Susanna Coffey, Miriam Schapiro, Bessie Potter Vonnoh and others.
It will be at 1083 Fifth Avenue, June 28-January 4.
A strength of this exhibition is the numerous self-portraits by
women artists. In the past, a membership requirement of newly
elected Academicians was that all must donate a portrait of
themselves to the museum's permanent collection. This has
provided the academy with a rich cross-section of women's
self-portraits, from Cecilia Beaux to Jane Freilicher, and allows
viewers new insight into the subject of women and
self-representation.
Other subjects include the traditional flower and bird motifs
often associated with women's work, the organic abstractions of
Louise Bourgeois, the feminist works of Miriam Schapiro and the
environmentally based work of Michelle Stuart - a linear overview
of women's work from the mid-1800s to the present.
Women were admitted membership to the National Academy from the
organization's inception in 1825. By 1831, the academy's school
was open to women, and in 1847, the radical step of offering a
life-class for women was taken. At this time in American history
most institutions' support of women was somewhat limited, but the
National Academy was an exception.
Today the role of women in the academy continues to grow steadily
and 1992 saw the election of the first woman president of the
institution, Jane Wilson. In 1997, Dr Annette Blaugrund joined
the small but growing number of women museum directors in
becoming director of the National Academy. Moreover, women are
part of the academy's Governing Council, the school faculty and
serve in many other elevated capacities.
There will be a reception on Wednesday, July 9, 6 to 8 pm.
Hours are Wednesday and Thursday, noon to 5 pm; Friday, Saturday
and Sunday, 11 am to 6 pm. For information, 212-369-4880 or
www.nationalacademy.org.
