The Speed Art Museum, Louisville, Kentucky

The Speed Art Museum in Louisville, Kentucky, which was originally known as the J.B. Speed Memorial Museum first opened its doors on January 15, 1927. The museum was named by its founder Hattie Bishop Speed in memory of her husband James Breckinridge Speed.

More information can be obtained by checking out www.speedmuseum.org where you can read all about the current exhibits at the museum, and also its latest acquisitions.

History of the museum:

The museum was designed by Louisville architect Arthur Loomis who chose a "Greek Revival" style for the building's exterior. Large skylights were built into the museum's ceiling which bath the art galleries in natural sunlight. The grand opening of the museum showcased paintings by over a hundred American and European painters with nearly two thousand visitors in attendance.

Today the Speed Art Museum is Kentucky's oldest and largest art museum with over 13,000 pieces in its collection, and 15,000 square feet of gallery space. The Speed Art Museum spans over 6,000 years of ancient Egyptian to contemporary art. The museum showcases works of art such as: 17th century Dutch paintings, 18th century French art, and also Native American and African art.

In 1997 a major renovation was completed at the Speed Art Museum due to a $50 million gift to the museum from Alice Speed Stoll who is the granddaughter of James Breckinridge Speed. This bequest is the largest gift given to any art museum; it also helped to secure the museum's future. The Speed Art museum is now ranked in the top 25 art museums in the United States.

In 2000 the Speed Art Museum hosted the "Rembrandt to Gainesboro" exhibit which drew over 83,000 visitors to the center from all over the country and world wide. This famous art exhibit was displayed in only one other museum in the United States.

Exhibits:

The Speed Art Museum showcases a growing permanent collection of work with a wide spectrum of artists. Late 19thand 20th century Central African art is displayed in the museums collection. Assorted objects from 4000 BC to 400 AD, showcases the museum's collection of: Roman, Egyptian, and Etruscan art. Included in this collection are: Roman oil lamps, inscribed urns from a Roman burial chamber, Egyptian pottery, and also an Etruscan razor.

The American collection of art paintings and sculpture at the Speed Museum is featured in outstanding works from: James Peal, Mary Cassatt, and Benjamin West. Still life's by William Metcalf are displayed along with finger paintings and a collection of American Renaissance paintings.

European paintings and sculptures from the 1300's are featured in an ever growing collection of work. Outstanding works of art are displayed by 17th century Dutch artists such as: Rembrandt, Peter Paul Rubens, and Jacob van Ruisdael. Also showcased at the Speed Museum is a collection of 18th century works by French painters Francois Boucher, and Hubert Robert, who are the strengths of this collection.

The Kentucky collection at the Speed Museum features paintings, sculptures, and decorative works of art, which were primarily from the 1800's. These works showcase the artistic achievements in the state, and the evolution of the painting style during this pivotal point in Kentucky's history.

Highlights of this exhibit include works of art from Matthew Jouett and also the earliest known full length group portrait of Chester Harding. Kentucky sculptors such as Enid Yandell and Joel Tanner Hart are also featured in the collection.

Modern Art

The European and American gallery from the first half of the 20th century also features a number of modernist works. The Speed Art Museum is also home to such works as: Two Apples on a Table; by Paul Cezanne, and Tiger, Tiger; by American sculptor William Zorach.

The Native American gallery at the museum displays ceremonial objects and daily items which were made by members of the Sioux, Kiowa, Cheyenne, and Crow tribes, which occupied the "Great Plains" of North America. Excellent examples of quillwork, paintings, and beadwork which were made to show status and honor in the Native American are also showcased at the museum.

Recent acquisitions

One of the latest acquisitions to the Speed Art Museum is a collection of James McNeil Whistler's 88 works on paper; which includes lithographs that were done between 1878 -1903. Also acquired by the museum is Robert Goodnough's painting: "Red, Blue, and Gray," which was painted in 1965.

Goodnough is referred to as a "second generation abstract expressionist" who was described as a maverick which never subscribed to any school of artistic thinking. Although Goodnough's name is not as recognized as Jackson Pollock's name, his work helped to form the initial group which started the abstract impressionistic movement.

The Speed Art museum has come along way since its opening nearly 75 years ago. This distinguished collection of art is displayed to over 180,000 visitors each year. The Speed Art Museum is supported by: donations, ticket sales, and also grants and endowments.

The focus of this museum is western art from antiquity to the present day. The Speed Art Museum showcases such famous artists as: Rembrandt van Rijn, Peter Paul Rubens, Thomas Gainsborough, Claude Monet, Mary Cassatt, and also Pablo Picasso.

Hours of operation:

Tuesday: 10:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday: 10:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday: 10:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday: 10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday: Noon - 5:00 PM
Monday: Closed

Contact information:

The Speed Art Museum
2035 South Third Street
Louisville, Kentucky 40208
(502) 634-2700

Admission to the museum's permanent collection is free, although a donation of $4 is recommended. Admission to the "Arts Sparks Interactive gallery" is $5 per person. Tickets can be purchased at the sales desk at the Visitor's Welcome Center.

Location:

The Speed Art Museum is conveniently located off Interstate I-65 at exit 133 which is the Eastern Parkway exit in Louisville, Kentucky. Tickets are sometimes required for special exhibits, so contact the museum for more information.

Sources of information:

www.speedmuseum.org
www.wikipedia/speedmuseum.com