Amon Carter Museum of American Art facts for kids
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| Established | January 1961 |
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| Location | 3501 Camp Bowie Boulevard Fort Worth, Texas 76107-2695 (United States) |
| Architect | Philip Johnson |
The Amon Carter Museum of American Art (ACMAA) is a cool place to visit in Fort Worth, Texas. It's a museum that shows off amazing American art. You'll find paintings, photos, sculptures, and drawings. These artworks are by top artists from the United States and North America. Most of the art is from the 1820s to the 1940s.
The museum has a special focus on the Old West. You can see many artworks by Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell. These pieces show what life was like during the expansion of North America. The museum also has a huge collection of American photography. It covers everything from the very first photos to modern ones.
You can always see a changing selection of art from the museum's collection. Plus, many artworks are available to view online! The best part? It's completely free to get in, even for special exhibits! The Amon Carter Museum first opened in 1961. It was started by Amon G. Carter Sr., a newspaper publisher and generous person from Fort Worth. He collected over 300 artworks by Remington and Russell. Mr. Carter spent the last ten years of his life planning for the museum.
Contents
- What Kind of Art Can You See?
- Art of the Old West: Remington and Russell
- Art from Explorers and Native American Life
- Beautiful Landscapes and Coastal Scenes
- People and Everyday Life in Art
- Still-Life Paintings and Sculptures
- American Impressionist and Modern Art
- Photography Collection
- Works on Paper: Drawings, Prints, and Watercolors
- Library and Archives
- History of the Museum
- The Museum Building
- Images for kids
- See also
What Kind of Art Can You See?
Art of the Old West: Remington and Russell
The museum has over 400 artworks by Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell. These pieces are the heart of the museum's Old West collection. You'll see drawings, letters with pictures, paintings, sculptures, and watercolors. Many of these were bought by Amon G. Carter Sr. himself.
Remington and Russell were famous for showing life in the American West. Remington worked from his New York studio. He created exciting images of the Old West. Russell lived in Montana and was known as the "Cowboy Artist." Both artists made their work feel very real. They used their own experiences and historical facts.
Famous Western Artworks to See
- Frederic Remington, A Dash for the Timber (1889): This painting made Remington a serious artist.
- Frederic Remington, The Broncho Buster (1895): This was Remington's first bronze sculpture. It started his career as a sculptor.
- Frederic Remington, The Fall of the Cowboy (1895): This artwork shows the end of the legendary cowboy era.
- Charles M. Russell, Medicine Man (1908): A detailed painting of a Blackfeet shaman. It shows Russell's respect for Native American culture.
- Charles M. Russell, Meat for Wild Men (1924): A bronze sculpture showing hunters chasing buffalo.
Art from Explorers and Native American Life
The museum has many maps and artworks by artists who explored North America. These artists traveled in the 1800s and 1900s. They wanted to discover new places and sights. Some artists worked on their own. Others joined government expeditions. They drew and painted what they saw. This included landscapes, animals, plants, and different Native American cultures.
The museum collected these drawings, paintings, and prints early on. Artists like John James Audubon, Karl Bodmer, George Catlin, and Thomas Moran are featured. Their art helps us understand how America looked long ago.
Beautiful Landscapes and Coastal Scenes
The museum has important landscape paintings from the Hudson River School. This was a big art movement in the 1800s. You can see two major paintings by Thomas Cole. He was a key artist in this group. There's also a painting by his student, Frederic Edwin Church.
Another famous painting is The Narrows from Staten Island (1866–68) by Jasper Francis Cropsey. It shows a wide view of Staten Island and New York Harbor. Some paintings also show the influence of Luminism. This style focused on light and atmosphere. Artists like Sanford Robinson Gifford and Martin Johnson Heade are in this collection. Heade's Thunder Storm on Narragansett Bay (1868) is considered one of his best works.
Later, artists like Albert Bierstadt and Thomas Moran painted the American West. Bierstadt's Sunrise, Yosemite Valley is a grand painting of the famous park. Moran's Cliffs of Green River (1874) shows the stunning landscapes of Wyoming.
People and Everyday Life in Art
The museum also has paintings of people and daily life from the 1800s. These are called genre paintings. Swimming (1885) by Thomas Eakins is a very famous painting. It shows people swimming and is known for its realistic style. Crossing the Pasture (1871–72) by Winslow Homer tells a charming story of country life.
Indian Group (1845) by Charles Deas shows Native American subjects. It explores their appearance and nomadic life. The Potter (1889) by George de Forest Brush is another detailed portrait of an indigenous American. The museum also has a unique painting by William M. Harnett. It's called Attention Company! (1878) and is the only known painting of people by this artist.
You can also see historical paintings like Marion Crossing the Pedee (1850) by William T. Ranney. It shows his skill in painting people and telling stories. Famous portrait artist John Singer Sargent has two formal portraits in the collection.
Still-Life Paintings and Sculptures
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The museum has many trompe-l'œil (pronounced "tromp loy") paintings. This French term means "fool the eye." These paintings are so realistic they look like real objects. Ease (1887) by William M. Harnett is a great example. It shows how artists could trick viewers' eyes. John Frederick Peto also has two amazing trompe-l'œil works.
Classic still-life paintings are also here. These show fruits or flowers. Peaches and Grapes in a Chinese Export Basket (1813) by Raphaelle Peale is one example. He was America's first recognized still-life painter.
The museum's sculpture collection shows the history of American sculpture. It includes works from the 1800s and 1900s. The Choosing of the Arrow (1849) by Henry Kirke Brown is one of the earliest bronze sculptures made in America. You'll also find sculptures by famous artists like Augustus Saint-Gaudens and Alexander Calder.
American Impressionist and Modern Art
The museum has several examples of American Impressionism. This art style uses light and color to capture a moment. Idle Hours (about 1894) by William Merritt Chase is a key painting. You can also see Flags on the Waldorf (1916) by Childe Hassam, which shows a New York scene. Other Impressionist artists like Mary Cassatt are also featured.
The museum also has works by early 20th-century modern artists. These artists were often supported by photographer Alfred Stieglitz. You'll find art by Charles Demuth, Arthur G. Dove, Marsden Hartley, John Marin, and Georgia O'Keeffe. Chimney and Water Tower (1931) by Charles Demuth is a striking example of modern art. It shows a factory as simple, strong shapes.
Other modern artists like Stuart Davis and Charles Sheeler are also part of the collection.
Photography Collection
The Amon Carter Museum is a major place for historical and fine art photographs. It has over 350,000 photos! This includes 45,000 high-quality prints. The collection covers the entire history of photography in America. It shows how photography documented American culture and became an important art form.
The museum holds the personal collections of photographers like Laura Gilpin, Eliot Porter, and Erwin E. Smith. You can also see early photos of Americans at war. There are 55 photos from the Mexican–American War (1847–1848). The museum also has a large collection of 19th-century portraits of Native Americans. This includes a complete set of Edward Curtis's famous work, The North American Indian.
The collection also features landscape photos by William Henry Jackson and Carleton E. Watkins. Later 20th-century landscapes by Ansel Adams are also here. The museum continues to add works by modern photographers.
Works on Paper: Drawings, Prints, and Watercolors
This collection includes drawings, prints, and watercolors. These artworks tell a lot about America's history and culture. The museum started collecting works on paper in 1967. Today, it has thousands of pieces by famous artists.
Many prints come from early surveys of the American West. Artists went with explorers and drew what they saw. These prints show unique views of the western landscape, Native American life, and old Spanish culture.
The collection also has rare books with beautiful illustrations. One example is The Birds of America by John James Audubon. It was the first bird book published in the U.S. Another is The Aboriginal Port-folio, the first color book about Native Americans.
Artists like Winslow Homer, John Singer Sargent, and James Abbott McNeill Whistler have drawings or paintings here. Modern artists like Charles Demuth and Georgia O'Keeffe are also represented. The museum has a large collection of lithographs (a type of print) by George Wesley Bellows.
Library and Archives
Amon Carter Museum of American Art Library Reading Room
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The ACMAA library is a huge resource for studying American art. It has about 150,000 items! This includes 50,000 books, plus old newspapers, magazines, and other materials. You can't check out books, but you can use them for research. The library focuses on American art, photography, and culture from early times to today.
The library also has special collections. It's connected to the Archives of American Art, which means you can access millions of documents about American artists. There are also rare illustrated books. These books are valuable for their text and their original prints.
The museum's archives keep private papers and records. These often belong to artists or photographers whose work is in the museum. For example, you can find the personal archives of photographers Laura Gilpin and Eliot Porter.
The ACMAA library works with other museums in Fort Worth. They created an online catalog. This lets you search the collections of several art museum libraries at once.
History of the Museum
The idea for a free museum of Western art came from Amon G. Carter Sr. He was the publisher of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram newspaper. In 1945, he set up a foundation to help create the museum. Mr. Carter had been collecting art by Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell for ten years by then.
In 1950, Carter told the City of Fort Worth he wanted to build a museum for the city. After he passed away in 1955, his will made sure the museum would be built. It was meant to share his art collection with the public. It also aimed to inspire young people in Fort Worth.
Mr. Carter's daughter, Ruth Carter Stevenson, helped choose the architect. She met Philip C. Johnson, a famous architect, and asked him to design the museum. Construction started in 1960. The Amon Carter Museum of Western Art opened on January 21, 1961.
Mitchell A. Wilder became the museum's first director in 1961. He and the museum's board decided to collect all kinds of American art. This led to the museum adding more 19th and 20th-century art and photography. Wilder also helped the museum publish books and organize important exhibitions. In 1966, he organized a big show of Georgia O'Keeffe's paintings.
In 1967, an exhibition called American Art–20th Century brought many modern paintings to Fort Worth. The museum even bought a painting by Stuart Davis from this show. This showed that the museum was expanding its art collection. Because the collection grew so much, the museum had to expand its building twice while Wilder was director.
After Mitchell Wilder passed away in 1979, other directors continued his work. They all worked closely with Ruth Carter Stevenson. She knew her father's vision for the museum very well.
In 1977, the museum changed its name to the Amon Carter Museum. Then, in 2011, for its 50th anniversary, it became the Amon Carter Museum of American Art.
The Museum Building
The famous architect Philip C. Johnson designed the Amon Carter Museum. He worked on the original building and two major expansions over 40 years. Johnson was chosen in 1958. He wanted to create a museum that would show off the art and honor Amon G. Carter Sr.
Johnson picked a spot on a hillside with a great view of downtown Fort Worth. He designed a two-story entrance with five arches. These arches and columns were covered in a creamy Texas shellstone. The front of the museum had large glass windows. Inside, the main hall also used shellstone, wood, and granite floors.
The museum opened in 1961. Critics loved Johnson's design. One called it "an exceedingly handsome building." Another called it "Mr. Johnson's jewel box."
The museum quickly grew its collection. So, it needed more space. In 1964, an addition was built for offices, a bookstore, and storage. Philip Johnson and his partner designed a second, much larger addition in 1977. This more than doubled the museum's size. It added offices, an auditorium, and a bigger library.
In 1998, the museum decided to expand again. Philip Johnson worked on this new design. The museum closed in 1999 for this big project. The old additions were removed. A new, larger building was constructed behind the original 1961 building.
The current museum building reopened in 2001. The new part is covered in dark granite. This makes the lighter 1961 building stand out. A cool feature is the central atrium, called the Lantern. It has a high, curved roof with windows. This space connects to new galleries upstairs. The galleries in the original 1961 building now show art by Remington and Russell.
The 2001 expansion also added a larger auditorium and special storage for photos. It also has a conservation lab for artworks on paper.
In 2019, the museum closed for more renovations. The inside was updated. They added movable walls to change how art is displayed. The old carpets were replaced with wooden floors. New lights and skylights were installed to bring in more natural light. These changes made the galleries even better for exploring art.
The renovations got good reviews. People said the new galleries were great for discovering art. A special study center was also created in the library. It's dedicated to the art of Fort Worth brothers, Stuart W. and Scott G. Gentling.
Images for kids
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Plate 10 from The art of colouring and painting landscapes in water colours, Baltimore: Fielding Lucas, 1815
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Charles Deas (1818–1867), Indian Group, 1845
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Albert Sands Southworth (1811–1894) and Josiah Hawes (1818–1901), [Two women posed with a chair], ca. 1850
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William Sharp (1803–1875), Victoria Regia - Intermediate Stages of Bloom, 1854
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Heinrich Möllhausen (1825–1905), Canadian River Near Camp 38, 1855
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David Johnson (1827–1908), Eagle Cliff, Franconia Notch, New Hampshire, 1864
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Martin Johnson Heade (1818–1904), Marshfield Meadows, Massachusetts, 1866–76
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Jasper Francis Cropsey (1823–1900), The Narrows from Staten Island, 1868
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Robert Seldon Duncanson (1821–1872), The Caves, 1869
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George Caleb Bingham (1181–1879), View of Pike's Peak, 1872
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Thomas Moran (1837–1926), Cliffs of Green River, 1874
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Mary Cassatt (1844–1926), Woman Standing, Holding a Fan, 1878–79
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Thomas Eakins (1844–1916), Swimming, 1885
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Dennis Miller Bunker (1861–1890), In the Greenhouse, 1888
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John Singer Sargent (1856–1925), Alice Vanderbilt Shepard, 1888
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John Singer Sargent (1856–1925), Edwin Booth, 1890
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Frederic Remington (1861–1909), A Dash for the Timber, 1889
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Frederic Remington (1861–1909), His First Lesson, 1903
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Charles M. Russell (1864–1926), In Without Knocking, 1909
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Erwin E. Smith (1886–1947), A wrangler keeping an eye on the remuda grazing below in an arroyo, 1910
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Morton Livingston Schamberg (1881–1918), Figure, 1913
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Gaston Lachaise (1882–1935), Woman Seated, modeled 1918, cast 1925
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Charles Sheeler (1883–1965), Conversation - Sky and Earth, 1940
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Louise Nevelson (1899–1988), Lunar Landscape, 1959–60
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Alexander Wilson (1766–1813), Blue Jay, Yellow Bird or Goldfinch, Baltimore Bird, American Ornithology - Plate 1, published 1809–14
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William Henry Jackson (1843–1942), Cañon of the Rio Las Animas, 1882
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See also
In Spanish: Museo Amon Carter para niños
- American Art Collaborative
- List of museums in North Texas
