Expressions of Innocence and Eloquence : Selections from the Jane Katcher Collection of Americana

by Edited by Jane Katcher, David A. Schorsch, and Ruth Wolfe; Essays by Jean M. Bur

• ISBN13: 9780300119657
• ISBN10: 0300119658
• Format: Trade Book
• Copyright: 2006-12-01
• Publisher: Marquand Books

Summary

American folk art and decorative arts from the early years of the Republic are telling indicators of family traditions, aesthetic values, and household customs of the young nation. Showing us how creative and consumer cultures from the old world were transformed in the new,Expressions of Innocence and Eloquencepresents more than two hundred examples of American folk art and decorative arts created in New England, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia in the 18th and 19th centuries. Drawn from the extraordinary Jane Katcher Collection, the book features familiar expressions of American folk artportraits and carvings, quilts and needlework, weathervanes and whirligigs, family records and calligraphy, ceramics, furniture, baskets, and toysas well as the unexpectedvalentines, friendship albums, and keepsakes woven from the hair of loved ones. A distinguished group of scholars discuss these objects within the context of historical, economic, and social issues as well as aesthetics.. There are also explorations of craft methods and artistic strategies practiced by the artists and artisans represented in the collection. Separate essays on the Shaker and the Pennsylvania-German communities concentrate on the unique features of their material cultures and their religious and social orientations. With more than 100 previously unpublished works, this generously illustrated book is essential for anyone interested in American folk art or decorative arts.

Author Biography

Jane Katcher is a retired pediatric radiologist and distinguished arts patron. David A. Schorsch is a specialist in fine American antiques and folk art. Ruth Wolfe is an editor and writer in the field of American folk art. Jean M. Burks is Curator of Decorative Arts at the Shelburne Museum, Shelburne, Vermont. Paul S. D’Ambrosio is Vice President and Chief Curator of the New York State Historical Association, Cooperstown. Erin Eisenbarth is Acting Assistant Curator of American Decorative Arts, Robin Jaffee Frank is Associate Curator of American Paintings and Sculpture, and Patricia E. Kane, is Curator of American Decorative Arts, all at the Yale University Art Gallery. Robert Hunter is a historical archaeologist and editor of Ceramics in America. Richard Miller is former curator of the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, Williamsburg, Virginia. Charles Santore is author of The Windsor Style in America. Robert Shaw is former curator of the Shelburne Museum. Scott T. Swank is Executive Director of Heritage Museums and Gardens, Sandwich, Massachusetts. Philip Zea is President of Historic Deerfield, Massachusetts. Eileen M. Smiles is a folk and decorative arts specialist.

Table of Contents

Some thoughts on collecting	p. 11
Humanizing the mundane	p. 27
Folk portraits	p. 43
Two masterworks by John Brewster, Jr.	p. 57
Records of life	p. 67
Four portraits by Sheldon Peck	p. 75
United as this heart you see : memories of friendship and family	p. 85
Portraits of children	p. 105
Made for children's use	p. 123
Academy and school work	p. 137
The American Windsor style	p. 157
Painted furniture : from plain to fancy	p. 171
Boxes and baskets	p. 187
Surfaces of illusion : mocha and spatter wares	p. 207
Folk sculpture : for diversion and utility	p. 231
Shaker products and principles : a study in beauty and belief	p. 253
The art of becoming Americans : observations on Pennsylvania-German folk art	p. 273
Jacob Strickler's cupboard	p. 295
Catalog of the collection	p. 305
Table of Contents provided by Blackwell. All Rights Reserved.