Many of the world’s most iconic paintings were originally conceived in pairs or sets and have been separated over the hundreds of years since their creation.
The Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art’s collection contains many of these works †instantly recognizable, yet conceptually incomplete without their matches. “Reunited Masterworks: From Adam & Eve to George & Martha,” on view February 14⁍ay 30, will remedy this situation by presenting some of the best-known paintings from the Wadsworth’s permanent collection along with their long-lost mates.
Some of these paintings are being brought together for the first time in centuries to enable visitors to appreciate them the way the artist intended †as contrasting or complimentary pairs. In total, five collection paintings will be rejoined with their mates †including loans from major collections in the United States, Canada and Europe.
Opening appropriately on Valentine’s Day, the exhibition will include several sets of real and mythological couples †the earliest of which, in terms of both date and subject, is a set of panel paintings depicting Adam and Eve from 1613 by the Dutch artist Hendrick Goltzius. Goltzius’ “Adam,” acquired by the Wadsworth in 2004, will be reunited with its pendant partner “Eve” from the Musees des Beaux-Arts in Strasbourg †the first time these paintings have been seen together in centuries.
Visitors will also get a chance to see another of history’s most famous couples †George and Martha Washington †depicted in pastel by the English-born artist James Sharples.
“It will be a revelation to finally have these paintings displayed together †some for the first time in centuries †allowing us to fully understand and appreciate the artists’ intentions,” said Dr Eric Zafran, the Wadsworth’s curator of European art. “This exhibition offers a truly exciting opportunity for those who have long appreciated these works individually, as the opportunity to see them presented side by side is extremely rare.”
The Wadsworth Atheneum is at 600 Main Street. For more information, 860-278-2670 or www.wadsworthatheneum.org .
