ORIGINS OF INFLUENCE IV: The Alfred Stieglitz Collection of Modern Art
(Main Level)Georgia O’Keeffe, Radiator Building — Night, New York (1927)
As the 20th century dawned, America was alive with a spirit of change, dissent, revolution, and hope, heralding new paths in politics, the arts, and quality of life. This period, characterized by a critical reassessment and experimentation, marked a departure from established norms and traditions, setting the stage for the emergence of early modernism. Origins of Influence IV honors the legacy of early modernist movements.
Alfred Stieglitz Collection
Alfred Stieglitz (1864–1946), a pivotal figure in American modern art, revolutionized the field as a photographer, gallery owner, and editor. His influential galleries developed modern American artists and served as conduits for European modernists to reach American audiences. After Stieglitz's assistant in 1946, Georgia O'Keeffe (1887–1986), with the assistance of her Doris Bry (1920-2014), undertook the task of cataloging his collection, donating a significant portion to various institutions both domestic and abroad. Among the first recipients was Fisk University, which included institutions such as The Art Institute of Chicago, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The National Gallery of Art, and The Philadelphia Museum of Art, among others. The donations extended to The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, The Library of Congress, The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, The Phillips Collection, The George Eastman House, and The National Museum of Modern Art in Tokyo, Japan.
The Connection
Dr. Charles S. Johnson (1893-1956), the first African-American president of Fisk University, and Carl Van Vechten (1880-1964), a prominent New York writer, photographer, and philanthropist, played a key role in O'Keeffe's decision to select Fisk University as beneficiaries of the collection. This gift led to establishing the university's first permanent art gallery in 1949, named in honor of Van Vechten, on November 4th.Pearl S. Creswell (1912-1994) led the gallery and served in various capacities from 1949 to 1989. She was instrumental in connecting the campus and the community with the collection.
The Alfred Stieglitz Collection, comprising 101 items including paintings, photographs, drawings, prints, sculptures, and a selection of African artifacts, showcases Stieglitz's extensive engagement with the modern art movement and his relationship to American modernists. The collection provides a remarkable introduction to Stieglitz as both an artist and a collector, illustrating his network and the early modernist movements in America and Europe.
Charles Demuth, Cyclamen (1916) (On display). Better known for his monumental murals depicting Indigenous heritage, working-class laborers, and Mexican national history, Diego Rivera’s earlier works—like this still- life painting— represent his practice when he lived in Paris from 1911 through 1920.
Gino Severini, Femme et enfant (1916) (On display). Known as significant figure in the Italian Futurist movement, Severini celebrated the technology, speed, and energy of modern life. The subject reflects Severini’s family experience. His wife gave birth to their daughter Gina in 1915.
Charles Demuth, Cyclamen (1916) (On display). Throughout his career, Charles Demuth was inspired by the technical possibilities and challenges of the watercolor medium. His work shows his immense skill at using controlled blotting, pooling, and washes to create subtle shading and visual texture.
Hear Us: Inner Echoes of the Human Experience
(Bottom Level)
“Hear Us: Inner Echoes of the Human Experience” is about the experiences of Fisk Students as we navigate entering adulthood at an HBCU. The exhibit reflects the various perspectives and experiences we go through as young adults. We felt that our show should represent the inner echos of burgeoning adulthood. We hope our show can invite conversation about difficult topics while celebrating the artistry of Fisk students.