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Arnot Art Museum
U.S. Historic district
Contributing property
Arnot Art Museum - Elmira, NY.jpg
Location 235 Lake Street
Elmira, New York
Built 1833, 1890s, 1982
Architectural style Greek-Revival
Website http://www.arnotartmuseum.org/
Part of Elmira Civic Historic District (ID80002596)
Designated CP July 30, 1980

The Arnot Art Museum is a cool place to see art in Elmira, New York. It opened its doors in 1913. You can find it at 235 Lake Street.

This museum has a huge collection of paintings from Europe, some as old as the 1600s! It also shows American art from the 1800s and 1900s. Today, the museum also features modern art. The building itself is a special part of the Elmira Civic Historic District.

The Museum Building's History

The Arnot Art Museum was started by a banker named Matthias Hallenback Arnot. He lived from 1833 to 1910. When he passed away, he gave his amazing art collection and his home to the City of Elmira. This is how the museum began!

How the Building Grew

The main part of the museum was once a grand house. Matthias's father, John Arnot, Sr., built this house in 1833. It was designed in a style called Greek-Revival. This means it looks a bit like ancient Greek temples.

Later, in the 1890s, Matthias added a special picture gallery. This new part had lots of gas lights and a big skylight. It's really special because it's one of the few old private art galleries that still has its original art collection. In 1982, a new section was added to the museum, making it even bigger.

Exploring the Art Collections

The Arnot Art Museum has many different types of art. You can see paintings from Europe and America. There are also some unique pieces by Surrealist artists.

European Art Highlights

The museum's European art collection is quite impressive. It includes works by famous painters like William-Adolphe Bouguereau and Jules Breton. You can also find art by Jan Brueghel the Elder, Gustave Courbet, and Claude Lorrain. These artists created beautiful paintings centuries ago.

American Art Treasures

The American art collection is just as exciting. It features paintings by artists such as Albert Bierstadt and Thomas Cole. These artists are known for their stunning landscapes, especially those of the Hudson River School. You can also see works by Gilbert Stuart and Thomas Sully.

Sculptures in the Collection

Besides paintings, the museum also has sculptures. Some of the talented sculptors whose work is displayed include Anna Hyatt Huntington and Frederick MacMonnies. Their sculptures add another dimension to the museum's collection.

Unique Surrealist Works

The museum also has art by Surrealist painters. This style of art often shows dream-like or strange images. One artist featured is Jean Pierre Serrier.

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