This week, From the Archives looks back on the history of visual art displays on Grounds, including following the history of the Bayly Building. From the University Museum of Fine Arts in the 1950s to the potential expansion of the Arts Grounds in the 2000s, From the Archives considers the exhibitions and exhibition spaces that have allowed the University arts scene to flourish.
1950s
Oct. 14, 1955
“Fine Arts Museum Rehangs Galleries With New Gifts”
By unlisted author
The University Museum of Fine Arts chose to rehang their galleries with donations from Mrs. Gildersleeve Lang, Mr. and Mrs. Randolph Catlin, Mr. E. F. Bartleet and the American Academy of Arts and Letters. The paintings come from a variety of artists, including Elihu Vedder, whose daughter Anita Vedder willed much of his artwork to the AAAL. The paintings will hang in the permanent gallery of the University Museum of Fine Arts.
1960s
Sept. 20, 1960
“Portraits By Thomas Sully On Exhibit”
By Pierre Purand
Portraits of Thomas Jefferson and other figures from the early history of the Republic painted by noted artist Thomas Sully are on display in the University Branch of the Peoples National Bank, in a lobby which “resembles a formal drawing room of Mr. Jefferson’s time.” Sully’s portrait of Jefferson, which is owned by the Jefferson Society, is one of five copies of Sully’s original from life artwork painted in 1821. The other paintings represent members of the “University family” including Jefferson’s daughter, Martha Jefferson Randolph, the first chairman of the faculty, George Tucker, and his wife, and the wife of the first governor of New Jersey. A brief biography of Sully closes the article, noting his design of the Arms of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
1970s
March 29, 1974
“Bayly Museum Reopens”
By Paul Hennesy and Mike Gassmann
Photos by unlisted photographer
Although the Bayly Building was designed to be an art gallery, and it functioned as a museum from 1935-1960, it housed Architecture students from 1960-1969, before reverting to an art gallery when Campbell Hall was completed. After a five-year break for restoration and renovation, the Bayly Museum reopened with displays including sculptures by Auguste Rodin, James Peale’s portrait of George Washington, artwork made by University faculty and a number of paintings from artists from the Hudson River School. Mr. David Lawall, the curator of the Bayly Museum, hoped that the museum will not just increase visitors’ appreciation for art, but their understanding of themselves.
1980s
April 9, 1981
“New York, New York: Bayly show looks at city life”
By Ann Vigo
A new exhibition, curated in conjunction with Assoc. Art History Prof. Marjorie Balge’s art seminar on New York City, has opened at the Bayly Museum. The article expands on some of the artwork, which primarily focuses on scenes of social connection in New York, and dissects works by John Sloan, Kenneth Miller, Richard Estes and others. Balge notes that art history courses are hard to teach from slides and that this exhibition attempts to bring the artwork she teaches closer to the students so they can connect with it more fully.
1990s
April 2, 1997
“Crossing Genres”
By Mary Beth McNulty
Photos by LaTonya Sadler
A new exhibit at the Bayly Museum, curated by Stephen Margulies, focuses on the “raw” connection between the written word and visual art. The exhibit, officially titled “Raw Vision, Raw Word: Book Art as Process and Power,” was curated to coincide with the Virginia Festival of the Book and includes many definitions of art, from broadsides to lecture notes. Margulies chose the artwork carefully, but noted, “One of our problems at the Bayly is space,” when discussing pieces he had to cut out.
2000s
Feb. 1, 2006
“State of the Arts”
By Ashley Simpson, contributions from Anthony LaMesa
Photos by Sam Stollar
Simpson interviews Art Department Chair Lawrence Goedde, Music Department Interim Chair Katharine Maus, University Art Museum Director Jill Hartz and former Drama Department Chair Bob Chapel on current issues facing the arts, including space constraints, money struggles and the hope for renewed investment in the arts. Maus notes that the specific architecture required for the new music building and potential donations have delayed the construction of a new building, but she remains optimistic that the University will place value in the arts.
Annabelle Nee is an archivist for the 137th term of The Cavalier Daily. She is a third-year College student, majoring in English and American studies. Annabelle is from Richmond and enjoys writing about The Cavalier Daily's history. Outside of The Cavalier Daily, she is involved in the Jefferson Literary and Debating Society, the Fralin Museum of Art and Brown Residential College.
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