The Hudson River Museum’s Faces and Figures Exhibit, currently on display, captures the human figure and its ability to attract attention and captivate viewers. The exhibit features artwork ranging from Seymour Joseph Guy’s 1881 “The New Arrival” to its most recent acquisition, Larissa De Jesus Negron’s self-portrait from 2023.
The artwork featured in this exhibit was carefully selected to showcase to viewers a more inclusive and representative side of art. The majority of the art on display has been gifted to the museum, and the exhibit serves to celebrate this expanding collection, inviting visitors to share in the excitement of the museum’s growth.
The New Arrival
The oldest painting on display in the Faces and Figures exhibit is Seymour Joseph Guy’s 1881 portrait “The New Arrival.” Both of Guy’s daughters are seen holding a small kitten.
Seymour Joseph Guy was a renowned painter originally from England. Guy immigrated to New York in 1854 and often spent his time in art studios in Brooklyn and Manhattan.
He is best known for his detailed style and portraits of children. His paintings offer insight into the lives of nineteenth-century children and their emotions at the time. Guy’s work is featured in numerous museums around the world, one of the most notable being his collection in the MET.
Other popular paintings by Guy include “The Crossing Sweeper” and “Story of Golden Locks.”
Greg Wyatt
World-renowned sculptor Greg Wyatt has two pieces on display in the exhibit—the Medallion Portrait of Asher B. Durand and the Medallion Portrait of Jasper F. Cropsey.
Wyatt coined the term “spiritual realism” to describe his artwork. His artwork, while realistic in its physical appearance, has deeper meaning, stimulating viewers intellectually and encouraging them to ponder the artist’s intentions.
The medallions were originally part of a commission piece for the Hudson River School Artists Garden. They pay ode to the legacy of the Hudson Valley, while highlighting the realism of the individual’s features.
John Sonsini and Allison Saar
A common theme found in the artwork on display in the exhibit is the pursuit of dignity in work and joy in leisure, which contributes to the overall idea of the human figure captivating the viewer’s eye. This theme is in both the works of John Sonsini and Allison Saar.
Sonsini’s oil paintings depict two Latino day laborers: “Jose” (2007) and “Luis” (2014). The faces of both men in the paintings are expressive, prompting viewers to consider the balance between physical labor and dignity.
Alison Saar’s “The Trotters” shows two individuals dancing, each with their face hidden. It serves to symbolize movement and history. The idea that in history, there was resistance, as individuals shielded their faces. It also presents themes of black identity throughout time.
C. Finley’s “Pas de Deux” is hung above “The Trotters,” showcasing LGBTQ pride as the dance and movements at the time were typically performed by a straight couple.
Frederick J. Brown
Frederick J. Brown’s portrait of Louis Armstrong is the most expressive of the collection. The picture shows jazz musician Louis Armstrong in an abstract style, yielding a passionate expression.
Brown was an American painter, best known for his portraits of Jazz and Blues musicians.
Ellen Lanyon
Ellen Lanyon’s “Ivory Metronome” (2011) is the final piece displayed in the collection. It touches on ideas of surrealism as the piece shows a dreamlike state. The Faces and Figures exhibit takes viewers beyond the physical human figure and prompts them to explore an abstract world.
James Seward
Exploring the idea of human connection and intimacy is James Seward’s “Study for ‘I’ll miss you most of all’” from 2022. The piece depicts the iconic moment from The Wizard of Oz in which Dorothy and the Scarecrow embrace.
Regarding the Faces and Figures exhibit, although it is an abstract piece, it highlights the essence of the human experience and vulnerability present in connection.
Information
The Faces and Figures exhibit is open until August 10th. For more information, visit the Hudson River Museum’s website.
