Forging an American Identity ~ The Art of William Ranney

Friday, 13 October 2006 12:58

Louisville, KY - The Speed Art Museum is proud to host works by great American artist, William Ranney, through January 1, 2007.  Forging an American Identity: The Art of Willliam Ranney features 60 paintings of American life by this early 19^th-century painter.  One of this country’s greatest narrative painters, Ranney depicted portraits, hunting and sporting scenes, lighthearted genre scenes and historical subjects and through these depictions, helped develop the concept of an American character.

He also told the story of western expansion and painted vivid images of the West.  Created at a time when our country was first developing and establishing its identity, Ranney’s vibrant depictions serve as pictorial stories that chronicle this significant period in American history.

Ranney’s subjects represent the diversity of early America—from a revolutionary war hero to a family headed West toward a new life and from the festivity of a Virginia wedding to the profound grief of burying one’s child on the prairie.  Exhibition curator Sarah E. Boehme explains, “Many of Ranney’s western works focus on the unnamed figures of history, thus asserting the importance of the average person in developing the nation and its identity.  Ranney’s paintings convey important concepts about American character through his dramatic visualizations.”

Forging an American Identity: The Art of William Ranney is organized by the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, Cody, Wyoming.

A national leader in arts education, serving over 30,000 children each year, the Speed Art Museum has repeatedly been voted Kentucky’s best museum and is considered one of the top ten sites each Kentuckian should visit.  The Speed honors its mission to bring great art to our communities through its distinguished collections and as the Commonwealth’s number one venue for international art exhibitions.

The Speed Art Museum is located at 2035 South Third Street in Louisville.  Other features of the museum include a hands-on Art Learning Center for families, a café and gift shop.

Visit at : www.speedmuseum.org