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Blog Category: New acquisitions

More Real than Real: The Photography of Ralph Eugene Meatyard

Posted by Sarah on October 6, 2011

Photographs, a ubiquitous component of contemporary life, serve as an ever-evolving record of our lives and those of our friends and family. Children provide an immediate source of inspiration, and many new parents quickly adopt the role of amateur photographer. But few become as skilled and engaged in the medium as Ralph Eugene Meatyard, whose haunting photography is presented in the exhibition Ralph Eugene Meatyard: Dolls and Masks, opening at the de Young this Saturday, October 8.

Untitled, ca. 1960–1962, gelatin silver print, museum purchase, John Pritzker Fund, 2011.4.1

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FRAME|WORK: Migration by Jacob Lawrence

Posted by Sarah on September 7, 2011

FRAME|WORK is a weekly blog series that highlights an artwork in the Museums' permanent collections. Today, in honor of Jacob Lawrence's birthday, we feature his compelling masterwork Migration, currently on display at the de Young.

Jacob Lawrence (American, 1917–2000). Migration, 1947. Egg tempera on hardboard. Museum purchase, American Art Trust Fund, Dr. Leland A. and Gladys K. Barber Fund and Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd, by exchange. 2010.1

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Follow that Art! Balcomb Greene's "Six-Sided Planes" Is Finally on View

Posted by Sarah on July 26, 2011

For the past six weeks, we have followed the progress of Balcomb Greene's Six-Sided Planes through the museum on its way to exhibition. We began tracking the painting's journey when it first entered the Fine Arts Museums via the registration department. It then went on to paintings conservation for a makeover before heading on to the Board of Trustees for final approval. Next it re-entered the registration department for final acquisition, after which it was photographed for record-keeping purposes. And last week, we learned about the work's art historical context and significance from the American art department's curatorial perspective. Now, after all the research, preparation, and planning, Six-Sided Planes is finally on display in Wilsey Court!

Art technician Paul Tavian wheels the painting through Wilsey Court.

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Follow that Art! Balcomb Greene's Six-Sided Planes in Context

Posted by Sarah on July 18, 2011

Last week, we followed Six-Sided Planes into the photgraphy studio where it was shot for record identification. Today we learn about the history and significance of this painting from the curatorial perspective.

My name is Emma Acker, and I’m a curatorial assistant in the American Art department at the Fine Arts Museums. In May of this year, I presented Balcomb Greene’s Six-Sided Planes as a potential purchase to the Acquisitions Committee of our Board of Trustees.

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Follow that Art! Balcomb Greene's Six-Sided Planes is Ready for its Close-up

Posted by Sarah on July 12, 2011

Now that the Board of Trustees has approved the purchase of Balcomb Greene's Six-Sided Planes and it has been permanently accessioned into the Museums' collection, the next step is to make identification photography of the artwork. This photo will be used for internal recordkeeping on the collections management database and the website.

Art technicians Osvaldo Ruiz and Mark Grim prepare the painting for transportation to the photo studio. For safety, two people handle artworks at all times.

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Follow that Art! Balcomb Greene's Six-Sided Planes Becomes a Permanent Resident of the de Young

Posted by Sarah on July 8, 2011

After Six-Sided Planes received its makeover in the paintings conservation lab, it was transported to the Legion of Honor for review during the full Board meeting (there are several sub-committee Board meetings that take place throughout the year).

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