Thomas Cole (American, born England, 1801–1848), “The Voyage of Life: Youth” (detail), 1840. Oil on canvas. 52 1/2 x 78 1/2 in. Museum Purchase, 55.106
Utica, N.Y. — Munson Museum of Art will host a press preview of its spring exhibition, “Canvas to Culture: Thomas Cole’s Voyage of Life Lives On,” at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, in Downtown Utica.
“Canvas to Culture,” on view Feb. 28 through May 25 and organized by Museum Director Emeritus Paul Schweizer, is the first exhibition to uncover the enduring legacy of “The Voyage of Life,” the Museum’s beloved quartet of paintings by Thomas Cole. This exhibition is free for Munson Members and $5 for the general public.
“Canvas to Culture” features more than 50 works from Munson and other prominent collections inspired by Thomas Cole’s epic series, “The Voyage of Life” (1839–40). The series has inspired many other artists who have gone on to make prints, paint copies, and create mechanical reproductions, imagery for commercial books, and other media. Some stayed true to Cole’s vision, while others changed or even rejected its themes to reflect their own experiences or cultural and religious values. These reinterpretations transform “The Voyage of Life” from a series of pictures originally destined for a private gallery into a staple of American popular culture.
For more information, visit munson.art/canvas-to-culture.
This exhibition is generously sponsored by Mary Ann Gadziala; Christian and Cheryl Heilmann; Elizabeth R. Lemieux, Ph.D.; the Family of F. X. Matt II; Hon. Beverly Tobin (ret), in memory of Edwin J. Tobin; and Linda and Alan Vincent.
