The Emile Mathis Gallery at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee opens the 2024/2025 season with a celebration of a generous gift of 20th Century Art from Henry and Blanche Rosenberg. The show is curated by gallery director Leigh M. W. Mahlik and encompasses the entire span of the Rosenberg’s collection. Primarily anchored in prints or other works on paper, Mahlik has also included a number of paintings and small table top scaled sculptures.
Visiting this show is incredibly rewarding. Most of the major European artists of the period are represented. And the work is certainly museum quality but the scale is a more personal size and invites you to spend some time getting familiar with it. Something that isn’t always available when viewing work of epic proportion. When I visited a second time, part of my intent was to take photos of work that spoke to me that I wanted to post with the article and hoped that they would speak to you. Unfortunately I got carried away and will have to make choices now so that I don’t overwhelm you with visuals. After all, I do want you to visit the gallery.
But the Rosenberg’s clearly had an eye for design. Although these works aren’t necessarily well known they are clean and crisp in design, and exhibit the exquisite draftsmanship that these artists are known for. And color is also a focus of many of these works. But there are some abstract pieces here that stand out too. This is a captivating show. And the best part it is easily accessible and free to the public.
My initial intention here was to quote a bit from Leigh Mahlik’s wall text about the show. But rather than try to edit it and retype it, I am just going to post a photo of the introductory text here. As it mentions, the collection has been instrumental in the educational mission of UWM and the Art History Department (which I understand is celebrating its 60th Anniversary this year). And with that in mind, Mahlik has also included short histories on the various ‘isms’ exhibited here…the show and the collection is certainly a delight!
I urge you to take the time to visit the Emile Mathis Gallery and enjoy this marvelous show. The Mathis Gallery is on the ground floor of Mitchell Hall which is on the corner of Downer Avenue and Kenwood Boulevard. The gallery is in the southwest corner of Mitchell but there is clear signage on the first floor at the entrances pointing you in the right direction. The Gallery is open Monday through Thursday from 10 AM to 4 PM and admission is free.
Modern Impacts: Celebrating 50 Years of the Rosenberg Collection at UWM continues through November 14th, 2024.
So there, I have given you plenty of links for more information. I will include one more here that is my take on the gallery as a whole: A Place For A Muse: The Emile H. Mathis Art Gallery @ UW – Milwaukee.
And now, I will include a few photos of the work that I loved from the show. I hope you enjoy them and then make plans for your visit!!
And yes, there are Picassos! Several of them but this one is particularly fun:
