search articles: 

   from the issue of January 17, 2008

     
 
'Unknown Blakelock' offers grand vision

Presenting more than 40 paintings on view together for the first time, "The Unknown Blakelock" offers a grand vision of the work of Ralph Albert Blakelock (1847-1919) beginning Jan. 25 at Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery.

Sheldon has organized the exhibition with works from its collections and loans from 34 museums and collectors. In October, the exhibition will be on view at the National Academy Museum and School of Fine Arts in New York City.

Known as a 19th-century tonalist painter, Blakelock has been historically associated with two dominant themes - moonlight scenes and Indian encampments. Critics have largely overlooked the painter's broader accomplishments, which have been obscured by his tragic mental illness and numerous forgeries produced in his style.

Modern art scholars, including Norman Geske, Sheldon director emeritus, in his recently published "Beyond Madness: The Art of Ralph Albert Blakelock," find a proto-modern vision in the artist's works and his influence on several generations of 20th-century painters.

This exhibition's more comprehensive view of Blakelock's work includes Western and Jamaican landscapes, shanty scenes, seascapes, still lifes and imaginary/fantasy compositions.

One gallery in the exhibition will be devoted to the authentication of Blakelock's work. In 1969, Geske established the Nebraska Blakelock Inventory at UNL to analyze paintings attributed to the artist.

The exhibition opens Jan. 25, with Geske's 5:30 p.m. keynote address, "Why Blakelock?" in the Ethel S. Abbott Auditorium. A public reception follows.

A symposium beginning 9 a.m. Jan. 26 will feature three speakers:

• Glyn Vincent, author of "The Unknown Night: The Genius and Madness of R. A. Blakelock," will speak on "Demythologizing Blakelock: Influences on His Art and Life."

• Mark D. Mitchell, curator of American Art, Philadelphia Museum of Art and former curator, National Academy Museum, New York, will offer a talk "Blakelock in Color: Toward a New Appreciation."

• William D. Spaulding, a professor of psychology at UNL, will deliver "Schizophrenia and Artistic Achievement - Reflections of a Psychopathologist."

The registration fee for the Blakelock Symposium is $25 per person at the door or $20 before Jan. 26. Students with a college or high school identification may register free. To preregister, call Monica Babcock at 472-2463.

Admission to the keynote address and exhibition are free.

A gallery guide and catalog will accompany the exhibition, which runs through April 6. The Blakelock paintings in the exhibition will be reinstalled at Sheldon in May with works from the museum's permanent collection. The reinstallation will be on view through August.

Additional information is available at www.sheldon.unl.edu.



GO TO: ISSUE OF JANUARY 17

ARTS HEADLINES FOR JANUARY 17

'Unknown Blakelock' offers grand vision
American Life in Poetry
Comedian performs Jan. 22
Dylan film opens Jan. 18 at the Ross
Great Plains Art Museum features 'Expressions of Prairie Grasses'
Lord at Club/Carson Jan. 25
New book celebrates Whitman's masterpiece
UNL singers, orchestra to perform at Carnegie Hall
White to lead Jan. 23 concert for elementary students

733058S37752X