L. D. M. Sweat Memorial Galleries facts for kids
The L. D. M. Sweat Memorial Galleries are a group of art galleries inside the Portland Museum of Art. The museum is located in the Arts District of Portland, Maine. These galleries are a great place to see American art from the past.
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History of the Galleries
The galleries have a long and interesting story. They were built to honor a special person and designed to match a historic home.
A Gift to the Museum
The galleries were built in 1911 and named after Lorenzo De Medici Sweat. His wife, Margaret Jane Mussey Sweat (1823–1908), was a major supporter of the Portland Museum of Art. After she passed away, she left money to the museum to build these galleries in her husband's memory.
The building was designed by a Maine architect named John Calvin Stevens. He made sure the new galleries looked good next to the McLellan House, the oldest building at the museum. The McLellan House has a classic look called Federal style, and the galleries were designed to match it.
A Big Makeover
In 1980, the galleries and the McLellan House were closed to the public. This was so a new part of the museum, the Payson Building, could be built. The galleries stayed closed for a long time but were carefully restored for two years. They finally reopened on October 5, 2002, looking better than ever.
What Kind of Art Can You See?
The galleries focus on American art from the 1800s and 1900s. You can see all kinds of art, including paintings, sculptures, and even furniture and decorative arts. A large part of the collection features works by the famous artist Winslow Homer.
The museum wants the art to show what life was like in America long ago. The collection shows how people's ideas and styles changed over time. As you walk through the galleries, you can see how art evolved from fancy portraits for the wealthy to new and exciting styles of the 20th century.
Famous Artists in the Collection
The galleries feature work from many important American artists. Some of them include:
- Benjamin Paul Akers
- Jim Dine
- Marsden Hartley
- Winslow Homer
- Jasper Johns
- Robert Motherwell
- Claes Oldenburg
- Robert Rauschenberg
- Franklin Simmons
- Andy Warhol
- Andrew Wyeth
Keeping the Galleries Fresh
The museum sometimes invites modern artists to create new works that fit in with the historic collection. In 2001, several artists participated in a project to add a modern touch to the galleries. This helps keep the space exciting and connects the past with the present.
The galleries have also been featured in magazines, helping more people learn about their amazing collection of American art.
