Well the Missus and I trundled up to Andover yesterday to catch Alfred Maurer: At the Vanguard of Modernism at the Addison Gallery of American Art and, say, it was swell.
Maurer was an early 20th Century artist who morphed from an Impressionist to a Fauvist to a Cubist. From the Addison’s website:
Considered the most accomplished American artist to adopt Fauvism, Alfred Maurer (1868–1932) tirelessly explored the boundaries of artistic expression throughout his career. From his cross-fertilization of Fauvism between French and American circles to his channeling of abstraction in his late radical works, Maurer proved to be a formidable creative force in expanding the potential for artistic expression in American art.
Representative samples, early (Whistler inspired) work first:
Then Maurer met Henri Matisse and jumped on board the Fauve Express.
Several years later, Maurer squared up with Cubism.
It’s like he was triplets.
For a more cogent analysis, check out Sebastian Smee’s slightly dyspeptic review in last Sunday’s Boston Globe.
And while you’re there, also check out the excellent exhibits Light/Dark, White/Black, On the Scene: 20th Century Street Photography, and especially Searching for the Real, which showcases the Addison’s fabulous permanent collection.
All are there through July 31.
Seriously, it’s not that far.
Excuse me for nagging, but didn’t the phrase “say, it was swell” go out with the 1950s?
It’s grand of you to notice, Bill.