Portraits from the Museum Collection

In the parent’s wing of the McCormick House we present a portraits from the collection inspired by Rafael Blanco‘s work.

Three classical portraits painted in oil on canvas - a call back to Rafael‘s skill as a classically trained studio painter - are on the west wall. These are among the oldest works in the Museum’s collection and are attributed to important early American artists. “Housekeeper” attributed to artist and photographer Thomas Eakins is accompanied by a pair of paintings attributed to American Folk artist, social activist, and conductor on the underground railroad Samuel Peck.

Across from these, on the wing’s east wall are contemporary portraits, including an energetic sketch of Mies van der Rohe architect of the house, by Hugo Weber.

Patty Carroll’s portrait of Don Baum exemplifies her vibrant textured style. Baum was exhibitions director at Hyde Park Art Center for over 15 years providing instrumental support for Chicago artists, especially the Chicago Imagists. His grandson Cain Baum exhibited a sculpture in Love Supreme: the McCormick House Reimagined here in the house last year.

The stone sculpture “Head” is by Abbott Pattison whose large “Woman in the Garden” is in the Moy pavilion on the Museum’s east side. And Rafael’s collaboration with Matthew Hoffman’s “You Are Beautiful” is on the Museum’s Southeast corner.

Artists:

Donald Baecher, Patty Carroll, Deena Des Rioux, Thomas Eakins (attributed), Sheldon Peck (attributed), Hugo Scheiber, Hugo Weber

Curated by Liz Chilsen

Artwork Image:

Patty Carrol
American, b. 1946
Portrait of Don Baum (from “Spirited Visions”), 1991
Cibachrome print
Cleve Carney Bequest C2014.022