The Frick Pittsburgh Presents Major Exhibition of Work by American Artist Walter Gay

Impressions of Interiors: Gilded Age Paintings by Walter Gay explores artist's depictions of opulent interiors

PITTSBURGH, Pa., Oct. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A major exhibition of work by American artist Walter Gay (1856–1937) will be presented by the Frick Art & Historical Center in Pittsburgh from October 6, 2012–January 6, 2013. This exhibition, which has been in development for four years, examines the life and work of an artist who specialized in painting the sumptuous interiors of wealthy collectors and society figures in late-19^th and early-20^th-century America and Europe. Walter Gay was well known at the beginning of the 20th century for his painterly views of beautifully appointed residential interiors. John Singer Sargent, Gay's close friend, gained fame painting American society in his fashionable portraits. Gay, in contrast, painted their often legendary residences.

Comprising 69 paintings and works on paper by Walter Gay, as well as a selection of ancillary historical material from 40 public and private collections, Impressions of Interiors: Gilded Age Paintings by Walter Gay will debut at The Frick Art Museum in Pittsburgh, before traveling to the Henry Morrison Flagler Museum in Palm Beach, Florida, where it will be on view from January 29–April 21, 2013.

Bill Bodine, director of the Frick Art & Historical Center, comments "The three paintings by Walter Gay in our permanent collection provided the inspiration for us to organize this exhibition, which examines the work and life of an important Gilded Age artist, as well as his place in the history of American collecting, design, and taste. This exhibition provides a rare opportunity for museum-goers to view nearly 70 superb paintings by Walter Gay—many of which are from private collections and have not been publicly exhibited since the artist's lifetime."

The exhibition is accompanied by a fully-illustrated catalogue published by D. Giles Ltd., London, which features topical essays that explore facets of Gay's life and work, including: his life in Paris; the influence of his wife, Matilda Travers; the role of collecting and collectors in his "portraits of rooms;" the Rococo revival of the early 20th century; and Gay's place among other artists of the period. It is available for purchase at the Frick's Museum Shop as well as in its online shop at thefrickpittsburgh.myshopify.com.

On Saturday, October 6 at 2:00 PM, the Frick will host a panel discussion featuring distinguished Walter Gay scholars and moderated by Frick Director Bill Bodine. Panelists include guest curator Isabel Taube, author of the exhibition's catalogue, and catalogue contributors Priscilla Vail Caldwell, director of the DC Moore Gallery, NY; Nina Gray, a decorative arts expert; and Sarah Hall, Frick director of curatorial affairs. Discussion considers the work, patrons and collectors of the artist who sought, in his words, to record "the spirit of empty rooms." Advance registration and pre-payment is required to attend this program

Impressions of Interiors: Gilded Age Paintings by Walter Gay was made possible by a generous grant from The Richard C. von Hess Foundation.

Admission to the exhibition at The Frick Pittsburgh is free.

For more information, visit TheFrickPittsburgh.org.

SOURCE The Frick Art & Historical Center