Wadsworth Atheneum
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The Wadsworth Atheneum is the oldest public art museum in the United States and largest in the state of Connecticut. It is located in historic downtown Hartford, Connecticut, the state's capital.
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[edit] Museum history
The Wadsworth, as it is most commonly known, was constructed on the site of the family home of Daniel Wadsworth (1771–1848) in the heart of downtown Hartford. Its architects were Alexander Jackson Davis and Ithiel Town, who designed the "castle" that is the atheneum's oldest building. Construction began in 1842 after the museum was incorporated on June 1 of that year. While "1842" can be seen clearly above the building's name above the front doors, the museum itself did not open until July 31, 1844. It has been operating continuously since then.
The Wadsworth family, being one of the oldest and most affluent in the city, contributed numerous valuable pieces of art to the museum to be displayed at the time the Atheneum opened. The first collection consisted of 78 paintings, two marble busts, one portrait miniature, and one bronze sculpture.
The Wadsworth has also been utilized since its beginning as a place for dramatic and dance performances, exhibits of historical artifacts, social functions, and benefits.
[edit] Structure and contents
The structure itself consists of the original, castle-like building, plus 4 wings that have been added onto it since it was built. A new addition is being designed currently. The museum is home to approximately 50,000 objects, including ancient Roman, Greek, and Egyptian bronzes; paintings from the Renaissance, Baroque, and French and American Impressionist eras, among others; 18th century French porcelains (including Meissen and Sèvres); Hudson River School landscapes; early American clothing and decorations; early African-American art and historical artifacts; and more. The collections span more than 5,000 years of world history.
Just outside the "castle" is a statue of Nathan Hale, dated 1899, by Enoch S. Woods. A short distance away, within the Connecticut State Capitol is another, better-known sculpture of Hale by Bela Pratt, a copy of his original at Yale University.
[edit] Museum firsts
Since its beginning, the Wadsworth has had a long tradition of "firsts".
In 1933, the Wadsworth sponsored George Balanchine's immigration to the United States from the Soviet Union. Shortly after his immigration, Balanchine formed what is now known as the New York City Ballet and chose to have his company's first performance at the Wadsworth in 1934. This is arguably the most important "first" in Wadsworth history.
The museum was the first in America to acquire pieces by Salvador Dalí, Balthus, Frederic Church, Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, Piet Mondrian, and many other famous artists. The first American exhibition of surrealism was shown at the Wadsworth in 1931, and American's first major Picasso retrospective was held there in 1934. Also in 1934, the world premiere of the opera Four Saints in Three Acts by Gertrude Stein and Virgil Thomson was held at the Atheneum.
[edit] Visitor information
The Wadsworth Atheneum is located at 600 Main Street in Hartford, Connecticut. It is easily accessible from I-91 and I-84, as well as by train. Visitor information, including open hours, directions, and cost of admission, can be found on the official visitors page.
