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The vision of the Irish Georgian Society is to conserve, protect and foster a keen interest and a respect for Ireland’s architectural heritage and decorative arts. These aims are achieved through its scholarly and conservation education programmes, through its support of conservation projects and planning issues, and vitally, through its members and their activities.

Private Tour of Two of Yale’s Art Museums

29.09.2016

Posted by IGS

The American Chapter of the Irish Georgian Society visited the Yale Center for British Art on Saturday, Sept. 24th. The Yale Center for British Art was founded by Paul Mellon ( 1907 -1999), an unparalleled collector of British art. The collection is the most comprehensive representation of British art held outside the United Kingdom.  The tour was led by Mr.Christopher Monkhouse, the Curator of European Decorative Arts at The Art Institute of Chicago. Christopher organized the great Irish exhibition at the Art Institute in 2015, where the Yale Center of British Art was among the largest lenders.


Amy Meyers (Director of the Yale Center for British Art) addressing the group


Scott Wilcox, Deputy Director of Collections, with US Board Member Susan Burke conferring with Director Amy Meyers.
 


Board member Susan Burke viewing the wonders of A Macaw, Ducks, Parrots and Other Birds in a Landscape (1708-10) by Jacob Bogdani, 1660–1724, 

We were met by Amy Meyers, the Director of the Yale Center for British Art, who welcomed our group and gave us an overview of how the collection was formed and an overview of the recently completed year long renovation of the 1977 Louis Kahn designed building that houses the Center at Yale.  Scott Wilcox, Deputy Director of Collections, then led us on a walking tour of the collection, joined by Beth Miller, Deputy Director for Advancement and External Affairs who was instrumental in organizing the event.


Following the tour, our merry group had an enjoyable lunch nearby and then visited the Yale Art Gallery, where we were met by Patrica E. Kane, Friends of American Arts Curator of American Decorative Arts​, who organized the exhbit​: 'Art and Industry in Early America: Rhode Island Furniture, 1650–1830', which has recently opened.

Board members Beth Dater, Patrick Killian and Chantal O'Sullivan in the Long Gallery


Exploring the Founder's Room at The Yale Center for British Art


Our leader, Christopher Monkhouse, observing the goings-on in The Founder's Room, YCBA, with Good friend Claire Edwards

This private tour was also a great success and very much enjoyed by our band of Irish Georgians.

The private tours ended with a small reception before our guests went on their way.​

Words: Michael Kerrigan, Executive Director (USA)