UIW’s McCreless Art Gallery celebrates newest additions

John Matthews | Today’s Catholic

Among the pieces added to the collection are “The Three Mary’s of the Tomb” ca. 1820-1830, a painting from the circle of Francesco Hayez, the “Virgin Hodegetria” a carved relief of the Madonna and Child from the 14th century, and “The Descent from the Cross” a woodcut ca. 1520. A total of 12 new pieces have been added to the collection.

“The Three Mary’s of the Tomb” is attributed to the circle of Francesco Hayez, one of the 19th century’s premier artists, known for his portraits, political allegories and historical and religious paintings. This painting in particular was once rescued from an Italian monastery. It is rich in symbolism and represents the three Biblical Mary’s; Mary the Mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene and Mary Salome.

The “Virgin Hodegetria” (Greek for “shows the way”) is a carved relief by an anonymous sculptor of the Madonna and Child in Istrian marble. The piece dates from the 14th century and depicts Mary holding the Christ Child and gesturing toward him with her right hand indicating that he is the way to salvation. Part of the Virgin’s face and right hand of the Christ Child are worn away from centuries of adoration by the devout.

“The Descent from the Cross” is a woodcut from the 16th century. Woodcuts represent a printmaking technique where an image is carved into a flat wooden block, covered in ink, and pressed onto paper. This piece is attributed to Ugo da Carpi who was the premier woodcut master of the Italian Renaissance. It was once in the collection of Frederick Augustus II, the King of Saxony, and da Carpi’s works are featured in many world renowned museums including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and The National Gallery in Washington, DC.

The McCreless Gallery, established at the university by Dr. Glen and Andrea McCreless, features medieval and Renaissance art. It opened in 2006 with the unveiling of “The Madonna of the Book” ca. 1480s attributed to the studio of Sandro Botticelli. In 2007, the gallery received recognition for the addition of a fresco portrait of St. Leonard ca. 1320 which was once owned by newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst. The McCrelesses were recognized in 2007 by the national Art & Antiques magazine as one of the nation’s top 100 art collectors whose philanthropic efforts are changing the face of the art world. The goal of their collection on loan to the university is to share the arts with society’s younger generations.

The McCreless Gallery is free and open to the public during regular library hours.