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The Chrysler Museum of Art Remembers Jamestown

The Chrysler Commemorates the 400th Anniversary of Jamestown and Kicks Off Norfolk's Azalea Festival

(NORFOLK, VA)-There are many reasons to celebrate at the Chrysler Museum of Art this spring. This year marks the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, and the Museum is launching a special commemorative succession of exciting events and unique exhibitions to highlight the significance of this historic milestone.

Each exhibition in the six-part series including the Paul Storr Silver Gilt Breakfast Service, The Norfolk Mace, Joseph Mallord William Turner's The Junction of the Thames and Medway, Black Atlantic Project, Envisioning Virginia 1587-1784: Early Maps of the New World, and British Paintings from the National Gallery of Art, beautifully unites age-old traditions with new ideas from different cultures and generations, building upon America's solid foundation. This extraordinary Jamestown celebration also emphasizes the country's strong alliance with Great Britain, featuring newly-discovered art and classic masterpieces from both sides of the Atlantic.

Serving as a symbolic centerpiece for the event is the Rococo style Norfolk Mace, representing England's influence on generations of American history. With its intricate floral designs and polished emblems, topped with England's St. Edward's Crown, the Norfolk Mace is a clear representation of power and tradition. Also currently on view is the incomparable Silver Gilt Breakfast Service of Paul Storr, considered one of the leading silversmiths in Regency London. Storr's elegant breakfast service exudes modern style while also maintaining the traditional touch, heavily influenced by ancient Greek and Roman artists of his era. The Norfolk Mace and Silver Gilt Breakfast Service are currently available for public viewing during the Museum's normal hours of operation.

The Chrysler is also exhibiting some of the most spirited marine images ever produced by England's preeminent 19th-century landscape painter Joseph Mallord William Turner. Only available through Sunday, April 1, 2007 was Turner's The Junction of the Thames and Medway Created in 1807, the painting depicts Turner's vision of wind-swept sailing ships amidst a chaotic cluster of thundering waves all contrasted against a storm-darkened sky.

The highly anticipated Black Atlantic Project -- a transatlantic cultural exchange created by a group of underground hip-hop artists from the U.S. and Great Britain -- is on view for a limited time. This exhibition, curated by renowned UK producer Charlie Dark, initiates a chain of remixes and musical conversations that are passed between artists across the Atlantic. These talented musicians use their voices and beats to build the ultimate, entrancing melody which symbolizes the deeply rooted history that is shared among black populations domestically and abroad.

On Wednesday, April 18, 2007 the Chrysler paid tribute to English artists of 18th- and 19th- centuries by exhibiting some of the most sophisticated depictions of art patrons ever created with the exhibition British Paintings from the National Gallery of Art.

Featured in the tribute are masters of the arts including Arthur Devis, Henry Raeburn, King George III's Royal Academy, Sir Joshua Reynolds and Thomas Gainsborough. The Museum also celebrates the opening of yet another exhibition, Envisioning Virginia 1587-1784: Early Maps of the New World featuring 30 beautiful, historically significant maps including Abraham Oretelius' map America from 1587, Captain John Smith's Virginia map from 1626 and several other English, Dutch, and Italian examples.

Jamestown 2007 Celebration at the Chrysler Museum of Art
Exhibition Schedule
Paul Storr Silver Gilt Breakfast Service, Now through March 1, 2008
The Norfolk Mace, Currently on display
Joseph Mallord William Turner's The Junction of the Thames and Medway, through April 1, 2007
Black Atlantic Project, through June 10, 2007
Envisioning Virginia 1587-1784: Early Maps of the New World, through August 12, 2007
British Paintings from the National Gallery of Art, through July 29, 2007

 

 

 

For general information, please call (757) 664-6200. For media information, please contact the Public Relations Department at (757) 333-6295 or publicrelations@chrysler.org.