University of Toronto Art Centre Exhibits from the Malcove Collectiion

Thursday, 07 December 2006 08:17

Toronto, Canada - From Antiquity to the Middle Ages: Material Culture from the Malcove Collection features objects that span thousands of years, representing the many periods of history that were of interest to Dr. Lillian Malcove.

Among the earliest objects are a small sculpture from the Anatolian Bronze Age (ca. 4000-2000 BC) and a tiny Assyrian sealstone decorated with a winged sphinx (ca. 1300-1200 BC).  Other ancient works include fine glassware, bronze lamps from the Greco-Roman period, and stone and bronze images of Sarapis, Isis, Cybele, and Zeus.

Many pieces in the Collection come from Early Christian, Byzantine and Post Byzantine contexts.  Two displays highlight secular and sacred objects from these epochs, including pilgrim flasks and tokens, reliquary, pectoral and processional crosses, metal icons, and liturgical implements such as a polycandelon with hanger, censors, spoons, bread stamps and an ossuary.

Perhaps the most famous piece in the Malcove Collection, the remarkable painting of Adam and Eve (dated 1538) by Lucas Cranach the Elder, is also on exhibit, as is a small selection of medieval ivories, a painting by Hans Memling (c. 1485), and one by a follower of Joachim Patenier (c. 16th C).

In addition to our permanent displays of medieval furniture and Byzantine and Post Byzantine icons, there are several new sculpture installations in the Gallery, including three Coptic reliefs from the 4th -6th century.

Located in University College, one of Toronto's best examples of mid-19th century Romanesque revival architecture, the University of Toronto Art Centre is at the heart of the University of Toronto campus.  It is within walking distance of the Royal Ontario Museum, the Gardiner Museum, the Bata Shoe Museum, and the Art Gallery of Ontario.  You can find the Art Centre on the South Side of Hoskin Avenue between Queen's Park and St. George Street, just to the West of Hart House.  Visit : http://www.utoronto.ca/artcentre/