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November 10, 2006
Jocelyn Kress, Art Historian and International Lecturer, 11-10-06
Jocelyn Kress has achieved international recognition for her varied and significant contributions to the world of Art. Her informational and engaging lectures reflect an extension of her lifelong interest in preserving the legacy of the Samuel H. Kress Collection, which many consider the most extensive and encyclopedic art collection of old masters ever amassed by an American. The Kress Collection was started by her uncle Samuel H. Kress and continued by her father, Rush.
Today, approximately 45% of the Kress Collection is housed at The National Gallery in Washington, D.C. The collection represents 67% of all old master paintings and close to 90% of all French 18th century paintings in the Gallery’s permanent collection.
The Samuel H. Kress Collection is the only art collection of its scope and size ever to have been divided, distributed, and subsequently donated throughout the continental United States, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, and as such the Collection’s dispersal across America to regional art museums and universities literally seeded the nation with great art. The Collection has provided millions of Americans with their first glimpse of celebrated art.
In addition to her forthcoming lecture at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (January 18th, 2007), Ms. Kress has lectured at The Wallace Collection, London in honor of Marie Antoinette’s 250th birthday; The Old Masters Biennale, Florence; and Les Chateaux de Versailles, including The Salon Rond of the Grand Tranon, a favorite spot of Louis XIV and the Pavillion Francais — a favorite of Marie Antoinette.
Ms. Kress’ lifelong work within the arts reflects her strong desire to provide the American people with an opportunity to experience a connection with virtually all the great names in Western art from the 13th to the 19th century, from Giotto to Rembrandt to David.
In the tradition of her father and uncle, Jocelyn Kress has devoted her life to Art, including producing more than 100 art exhibits in New York City and at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. In addition to showcasing traditional fine arts, Jocelyn produced a comprehensive exhibition of American cartoon art, which included the first retrospective ever of television commercials from the 1950s through the 1970s. Her exhibition “Cartoon Now” of 1975 is still considered the comprehensive showing of this great American art form.
Posted by David Lemberg at November 10, 2006 12:18 PM Return to ARTSCAPE home page