Collections

Collections

Highlights from the Painting Collection

Built on a generous initial gift of 54 paintings from Museum co-founder William T. Evans, the painting collection spans the history of American painting from the mid-eighteenth century to the present. With particularly strong holdings in the Hudson River School, the collection also has fine examples of portraiture, American Impressionism, the American Scene, Modernism, Abstract Expressionism and 20th century works by African-American artists. The Montclair Art Museum has one of the finest and most comprehensive public collections of works by Montclair's greatest artist, George Inness. Artists represented in the painting collection include Asher B. Durand, Thomas Cole, Thomas Eakins, William Merritt Chase, John Singer Sargent, Morgan Russell, Stuart Davis, Edward Hopper, Arshile Gorky, Robert Motherwell and Andy Warhol.

Highlights from the Works on Paper Collection

Consisting of more than 3,500 objects, the works on paper collection includes drawings, watercolors, prints and photographs from both the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.  Works in a variety of media form the drawing collection, and include excellent examples of realism, book and periodical illustration, American Impressionism, the Ashcan School, early American Modernism, and Abstract Expressionism.  A diverse group of contemporary works round out this collection.  An important highlight is the Morgan Russell Archives and Collection, comprising drawings, watercolors, sketchbooks, writings, notebooks, and archival documents by this leading American modernist.  The print collection displays a broad range of work, from traditional to contemporary printmaking techniques.  Particularly well-represented in this collection are John James Audubon, George Catlin, Currier & Ives, Childe Hassam and James A. M. Whistler.  The recently formed photography collection encompasses the whole history of this medium in America, from early examples of daguerreotypes to the conceptualism of contemporary work.  Artists represented include F. J. Haynes, Margaret Bourke-White, Walker Evans, Aaron Siskind,  Garry Winogrand, Robert Frank, Harry Callahan, and many others.  The numerous photographs of Native Americans form an important link between the American Art and Native American collections.

Highlights from the Sculpture Collection

The works in this collection represent many of the major developments in American sculpture. Examples range from the neoclassical and Beaux-Arts styles of the nineteenth century, through the pioneering modernism of the early twentieth century, up to the eclecticism of the contemporary scene.  The Montclair Art Museum has many fine examples of wall reliefs, assemblages and sculpture in the round, fabricated from such materials as marble, bronze, terracotta, wood, plastic and found objects.  Artists represented in the diverse collection include Augustus Saint-Gaudens, Daniel Chester French, Thomas Ball, Elie Nadelman, Chaim Gross, Theodore Roszak, George Segal, Louise Nevelson, and Mel Edwards.

Highlights from the Native American Collection

The Native American collection was initiated by Mrs. Henry Lang, one of the founders of the Museum. It represents the cultural development of various peoples from the seven major culture areas in the United States - the Northwest Coast, California, the Southwest, the Plains, the Woodlands, the Southeast and the Arctic. With more than 4,000 objects, the collection has particularly distinguished examples of basketry and jewelry. Contemporary artists such as Dan Namingha, Tony Abeyta, Jaune Quick-To-See Smith and Allan Houser are represented as well. Native American artists and artisans are frequent visitors to the Museum, offering talks and demonstrations.