Public art exhibition at University of Saint Francis to feature Picasso, Dali, Rembrandt
Nov 01, 2024
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) -- Just a few weeks after a local nonprofit offered art enthusiasts the chance to purchase paintings from some of history's greatest artists, the University of Saint Francis is offering the chance for people to see even more of their work.
Starting Saturday, guests can tour an art exhibition on campus that features famed artists such as Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali and Rembrandt van Rijn. The pieces are being loaned from the collection of William and Mary Ann Roebel.
Portrait of Spanish artist Pablo Picasso taken in April 1959. (AP Photo)
** FILE ** Eccentric Spanish painter Salvador Dali is seen in Jan. 1968, location unknown. 20 years ago, on Jan. 23, 1989, Dali died. (AP Photo) ** zu unserem KORR **
The most valuable piece in the collection -- an original drawing by French Impressionist Pierre-Auguste Renoir -- was recently appraised at more than $400,000, according to the university.
"Renoir was one of the first impressionists in Paris -- part of the group that included [Claude] Monet, [Georges] Seurat and others," said Justin Johnson, gallery director for the University of Saint Francis. "With regards to this drawing by Renoir, you see his actual hand drawing the human form."
While a vast majority of the pieces are simply on loan, William and his family gifted the Renoir drawing to the University of Saint Francis to be permanently displayed at the art center. According to the university, the drawing marks the most valuable single work of art the University of Saint Francis has been gifted.
In addition to the Renoir drawing, the exhibition features a wide range of artistic styles and eras, which Johnson said should provide guests with a broad exposure to the world of art.
"It's also unique to see a work from the 1600s being displayed next to a work from the early 20th century, and so in that respect, I think there is something literally for everyone," Johnson said.
A 2006 oil painting from Dominic Besner titled "Circus Rhythms."An undated oil painting from Edouard Cortes named "Place de L'Opera."A 1632 etching titled "The Persian" from Dutch painter Rembrandt van Rijn.A drawing titled "Tete de Femme" by French impressionist Pierre-Auguste Renoir, c. 1885-1890. The piece was recently appraised at more than $400,000, according to the University of Saint Francis.A 2005 painting using acrylic on paper by Peter Max titled "Vase on Flowers"Two pieces from Pablo Picasso hang inside an exhibition at the University of Saint Francis' Mimi and Ian Rolland Art and Visual Communication Center. The left painting is called "La Casserole Emaillee" and the other is titled "Fleurs dans un Vase."A 1961 lithograph from Pablo Picasso titled "Le Ronde."A 1974 etching from Salvador Dali titled "Le Coche et le Mouche."
The exhibit is free to the public and located at the Mimi and Ian Rollan Art and Visual Communication Center at 1014 Leesburg Road. The exhibit will run until Dec. 13.
The University of Saint Francis will also host a reception related to the exhibition Saturday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. that is also free to the public.