A Mint Museum Menagerie: Critters from the Collection

Thursday, 01 June 2006 10:12

Charlotte, NC - Animals have always held a fascination for humans.  They have delighted, terrified and served us. They have been seen as charms or fetishes, protectors and predators, beloved companions, and helpmates.  We value them for their faithfulness, their strength and their beauty.  The encroachment of the human population upon the habitats of the animal world, accenting its fragility, has made us ever more aware of the importance of these creatures in our lives.

A Mint Menagerie: Critters from the Collection, on view through November 26, 2006, explores the ways in which artists throughout history have depicted animals thorough themes of fantasy, ritual and symbol, ornament, helpmates and companions using objects from The Mint Museums’ permanent collection.  Drawn from almost every department in the Museum, including drawings, pottery, metalwork, sculpture and paintings, the art of different periods or cultures reflects the intricacies of man’s relationships with animals.  “The theme of the exhibition will have a broad appeal.  Humans depend upon animals in many ways, from the food we eat to the clothes we wear to the companionship they offer.

We value the delight, amusement, and companionship animals give us.  Victor Hugo has called them the phantoms of our souls and Mark Twain has said the best thing about a man is his dog.  Our cats and dogs are all-accepting, non-judgmental, and patient in a world filled with strain, stress, and distrust.  They provide us with a simple, constant, and grounded friendship.  A fine example is Echo with an Old Shoe, a bronze sculpture by Anna Hyatt Huntington, which depicts a dog playfully chewing on a shoe.

Fifty pieces in all, other critters include a Bactrian camel in earthenware from the Tang dynasty, a painting by Thomas Eakins, and a drawing by Frederick Remington.  There are also a Meissen lion, a snake jug from North Carolina, sculpture by David Gilhooly, and Japanese netsukes, among others.  “This exhibition makes use of a broad range of objects, accenting the strength of the permanent collection,” said Dr. Barbara Perry.  “It also allows the public to see how the collections are interrelated.  Too often we view departments as separate entities, when in reality it is all about art.”

Visit The Mint Museum of Art at : http://www.mintmuseum.org/