Every fall, summer and spring, the Steinberg Art Museum in on the second floor of LIU Post’s Hillwood Commons has a rapidly changing exhibition. But, for the last exhibition of fall 2015, museum director Barbara Applegate wanted to try something new. “We’re having this [exhibit] up through March 25,” she said. The new approach includes events and activities for LIU Post students, which are also open to the public.
For instance, on Thursday, November 5, there will be a hands-on drawing lecture to learn about the new exhibition, which opens on Wednesday, Nov. 4. There will also be guest lectures from renowned historians, outside speakers, open, hands on events and more to keep the longer show interesting.
The exhibition itself is called L’Amour du Beau, Love of Beauty, and features 19th century French paintings and drawings. “The artworks are neither romanticism or impressionism,” Applegate said. “They’re kind of a mix between the two.” The exhibition features 67 works from 42 artists, including Antoine Vollon. The collection comes from Carol Tabler.
Tabler, a Long Island native who also curated the exhibit, is an art historian who specializes in the French 19th century movement. “She could pick up any of the pieces you see here and write a paper on it,” Applegate said of the collector, calling her one of the most foremost historians in her field.
The set-up of the exhibition is very categorical. It has landscapes in one area and still lives in another, but Applegate said it follows a “stream of consciousness.” The pieces are paired with quotes from the artists themselves on the wall, to follow with the consciousness theme. Applegate said that even though the exhibit is very classical compared to what the museum usually features, it will appeal to their audience. “This is a very academically heavy show, and the art is very serious.”
The quotes, she said, will hopefully help students and museum-goers understand a bit more what lies behind the canvases.
The exhibition is open from Wednesday Nov. 4 through March 25. Museum hours are: Monday – Friday 9:30 – 4:30; Wednesdays 9:30 – 8:00; Saturdays 11:00 – 3:00. There will be an opening reception at a later, undecided date.
This article was originally published in the Pioneer, the award-winning student newspaper of LIU Post, www.liupostpioneer.com, and is republished here by Blank Slate Media with the permission of the Pioneer.
