Hartgen ‘legacy’ on display in Bangor

BANGOR – The University of Maine Museum of Art exhibition “A Legacy of Collecting: The Vincent A. Hartgen Years, 1946-1982,” opened Oct. 12. It is the first of two exhibitions celebrating the fifth anniversary of the museum’s relocation to downtown Bangor.

The first exhibition, which runs through Dec. 1, will focus on the formative years of the university’s permanent collection under founder Vincent A. Hartgen. The second exhibition, opening Thursday, Dec. 6, will focus on the growth of the collection from 1983 to the present.

Vincent Hartgen arrived at the University of Maine in 1946 as the founding member of the department of art and the UMaine Museum of Art, then known as the Art Collection. Hartgen’s knowledge enabled him to collect with an informed vision, emphasizing works on paper.

The museum acquired 3,900 works of art in Hartgen’s 36 years as director. The depth of the museum’s collection remains a testament to his tireless pursuits.

During a conversation in 1999, Vincent recalled some of the more important and memorable acquisitions. These included the 55 Giovanni Battista Piranesi 18th century prints acquired from various donors. In addition, 26 works on paper from the Wing sisters, Adeline and Caroline, include fine examples by Rockwell Kent, Andrew Wyeth, Edward Hopper, Marsden Hartley and Winslow Homer.

Also encompassed in the survey are works by Berenice Abbott, John James Audubon, Alfred Thompson Bricher, Frederick Childe Hassam, Waldo Peirce, John Sloan and Andrew Wyeth.

The exhibition will include works created from 1750 to 1970.

During the celebration of Hartgen’s legacy as director and curator, the museum also has organized an exhibition from its collection of his own work for the Zillman Gallery.

The museum is located at 40 Harlow St. Museum hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday. For information, call 561-3352.