Starting in March, Somerville Manning Gallery will be opening its doors to their long running American Masters: Art of the 20th-21st Centuries exhibition. After returning from a two-year hiatus they have quite the exciting collection to share, showing a transitional timeline from realism to abstraction, and 20th century to contemporary.
Oscar Bluemner (1867-1938), Tars, Azlo “Flach” Soho Fat Mill, 1920. Watercolor on paper, 3 7/8 x 5 in.
Work by the ever-popular Wyeth family remains a permanent collection with Somerville Manning. However, the new exhibition will showcase new pieces not seen in the exhibit before. “The American Masters exhibition continues to follow the artworks of N.C., Andrew and Jamie Wyeth…analyzing their context through the timeline,” says owner Vickie Manning. “You can see the movement of other artists alongside the Wyeth pieces.”
William Glackens (1870-1938), La Baou des Blancs. Oil on canvas, 25½ x 31¾ in. Property of the Sansom Foundation.
Along with the Wyeth works, there will be highlights such as a Norman Rockwell drawing titled Portrait of Helene Bok, who was the daughter-in-law of the founder for Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. Also new to the exhibit is Hans Hofmann, the famous abstract expressionist. Manning says, “Hofmann’s piece Mosaic for Apartment House Sketch No 4, is particularly strong and is a painting of a mosaic that was part of a traveling exhibition. He did multiple large-scale mosaics and murals.”
Jamie Wyeth (b. 1946), Three Quarter Figure, Study for Portrait of Rudolf Nureyev (Study #91). Graphite and gouache on paper, 48 x 36 in.
Another notable addition will be an oil on linen covered book by abstract impressionist painter Helen Frankenthaler. Part of a 62-book series of her own work, Frankenthaler painted the book covers in replacement of a traditional first-edition run. The book that Somerville Manning has acquired is quite exceptional, showing an abstract color story of green, yellow and orange.
Manning furthers the show excitement in mentioning Animal Instincts, by Pop Art multimedia artist Red Grooms. “It’s really fun and it’s colorful,” says Manning. She’s right on the mark as the collage and mixed media piece is quite unique and captivating, showcasing collaged sketches of animals that makes for a frenzied, energetic mood with which the artist is best known.
N.C. Wyeth (1882-1945), The Artists’ Studio, Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, ca. 1908-1910. Oil on canvas, 25¼ x 30¼ in.
We also can’t forget the inclusion of the famous Jamie Wyeth painting Three Quarter Figure, Study for Portrait of Rudolf Nureyev (Study #91). Rudolf Nureyev was considered the greatest male ballet dancer of his time, and Wyeth was quite lucky in persuading him to model. Using graphite and gouache on paper, the subject is striking and detailed, yet simple and stoic. The subject is contrasted against a blank background, giving Nureyev a bold look that has left its mark on history. 
Jamie Wyeth (b. 1946), a.w. drawing, 2018. Acrylic, gouache, watercolor and graphite on Crescent tone paperboard, 19½ x 15½ in.
William Gropper (1897-1977), Night club, 1973. Oil on canvas, 20 x 24 in.
“It’s an extraordinary collection of American master paintings,” says Manning. “It’s always exciting because the work comes from all over, so they can’t all be seen anywhere else quite like this.”
The exhibition is similar to that of a museum, since all the artists and work come from major museums and collections in the United States. “That’s the purpose and level of my selection,” says Manning. “When people visit, they’re always amazed [that] it’s a free viewing, unlike a museum.”
Running through May 9, viewers can expect to see approximately 26 pieces in the exhibition. Additional artists are William Glackens, Oscar Bluemner, William Gropper and Emily Mason. Head to the exhibit to help Somerville Manning Gallery celebrate 100 years of masters in the art world. —
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