From its formation in 1989 through March 2024, the Weir Farm Art Alliance worked alongside the National Park Service and Weir Farm National Historical Park to further the common goals of the site. The Art Alliance’s primary mission, among other endeavors, was to perpetuate the artistic tradition of Weir Farm NHP. They accomplished this mission in a variety of different ways, however, perhaps the most vital role they undertook for the legacy of Weir Farm NHP was the acquisition of artwork for the site’s permanent collection.
The Weir Farm Art Alliance purchased, or arranged for the donation of, over one hundred principal works of art and furnishings between 1990-2024. Many of these were then donated by the Art Alliance to the collection of Weir Farm NHP. Among these works are many pieces that were painted or sculpted on site and are therefore invaluable to the interpretation of the farm and its place in American art history. Yet, these works would not have been available at all, if it were not for the gracious donations of private citizens, family descendants and other organizations.
One of the most significant of these works is a painting by Julian Alden Weir entitled The Truants. This painting depicts two figures standing by a fire at the base of a large rock with a stone wall and barn occupying the background of the scene. Originally called The Old Rock, the work was painted on site in 1895 and won the first prize of The Boston Art Club in 1896. The monetary award that Weir won totaled $2,500, and was largely used to construct the farm’s pond, which Weir affectionately referred to as The Boston Art Club Pond. The painting was donated to the Weir Farm Art Alliance in 2004 by Lisa Kurts and was donated to Weir Farm NHP in 2015.
Other important works by Julian Alden Weir in the collection include 89 etchings and dry points that consist of over 60% of Weir’s work in graphics. Scenes of the farm and portraits of family and friends are the primary subjects of these exceptional prints. Weir descendants Charles Burlingham Jr. and William Carlin donated this collection to the Weir Farm Art Alliance, which then donated the collection to Weir Farm NHP, in 1996.
The Weir Farm Art Alliance obtained several works by Mahonri Young as well. In 2004, Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. Lay donated a bronze cast of a sculpture done circa 1931 of Enzo Fiermonte, a successful boxer of the time. The sculpture appears in several historic photos taken on site in Young’s studio. The Weir Farm Art Alliance donated the sculpture to Weir Farm NHP and it is currently on display in the Young Studio.
Weir Farm NHP represents over 130 years of American artistic tradition and development, and it is the donations of the Weir Farm Art Alliance and their contributors that visibly define the significance and talent of the artists that considered this farm their home.
The Weir Farm Art Alliance purchased, or arranged for the donation of, over one hundred principal works of art and furnishings between 1990-2024. Many of these were then donated by the Art Alliance to the collection of Weir Farm NHP. Among these works are many pieces that were painted or sculpted on site and are therefore invaluable to the interpretation of the farm and its place in American art history. Yet, these works would not have been available at all, if it were not for the gracious donations of private citizens, family descendants and other organizations.
One of the most significant of these works is a painting by Julian Alden Weir entitled The Truants. This painting depicts two figures standing by a fire at the base of a large rock with a stone wall and barn occupying the background of the scene. Originally called The Old Rock, the work was painted on site in 1895 and won the first prize of The Boston Art Club in 1896. The monetary award that Weir won totaled $2,500, and was largely used to construct the farm’s pond, which Weir affectionately referred to as The Boston Art Club Pond. The painting was donated to the Weir Farm Art Alliance in 2004 by Lisa Kurts and was donated to Weir Farm NHP in 2015.
Other important works by Julian Alden Weir in the collection include 89 etchings and dry points that consist of over 60% of Weir’s work in graphics. Scenes of the farm and portraits of family and friends are the primary subjects of these exceptional prints. Weir descendants Charles Burlingham Jr. and William Carlin donated this collection to the Weir Farm Art Alliance, which then donated the collection to Weir Farm NHP, in 1996.
The Weir Farm Art Alliance obtained several works by Mahonri Young as well. In 2004, Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. Lay donated a bronze cast of a sculpture done circa 1931 of Enzo Fiermonte, a successful boxer of the time. The sculpture appears in several historic photos taken on site in Young’s studio. The Weir Farm Art Alliance donated the sculpture to Weir Farm NHP and it is currently on display in the Young Studio.
Weir Farm NHP represents over 130 years of American artistic tradition and development, and it is the donations of the Weir Farm Art Alliance and their contributors that visibly define the significance and talent of the artists that considered this farm their home.
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