Gloucester Daily Times
http://www.gloucestertimes.com/
Published: March 08, 2007 12:00 am
Illuminating Lane; Author paints clearer picture of Gloucester artist Fitz Henry Lane
By Gail McCarthy , Staff writer
Gloucester Daily Times
James Craig authored the book on Gloucester's prominent marine painter Fitz Henry Lane. But Craig says there's even more to the story of the 19th century artist.
Craig will present new information about Lane in a talk next week at the West End Theater in Gloucester. The talk is sponsored by the Society for the Encouragement of the Arts (seARTS).
Craig, who has lectured frequently since his book - "Fitz H. Lane: An Artist's Voyage Through 19th Century America" - was published last year, has continued to research Lane and his artwork. He said next week's program will be different from previous talks,
"There will be a lot of information that goes more in-depth in several areas," he said. "It will deal with the vital role that Gloucester played in shaping Lane's artistic vision and certain aspects of his career and artistic influences."
Craig's talk will touch upon the influence of artist Robert Salmon on Lane's artwork and career, as well as Lane's influence on younger artists.
"Much of the talk deals with information that never made it into the book," he said. "There is some new and exciting stuff that has come up and new artwork that has come to light. SeARTS will get to be the first audience ever to hear some of these new findings."
Craig's professional interest in Lane began after he put together a three-part lecture series in honor of Lane's 200th birthday for the Cape Ann Historical Museum.
But as a child, he remembers first seeing Lane's work with his grandparents at the Gloucester museum, which has the world's largest collection of the artist's paintings.
Craig said he has always been drawn to Lane's rich detail.
"Ultimately, his paintings are an incredible window into a bygone era," he said. "They show a completely honest, accurate vision of the coast of Massachusetts and New England from 150 years ago, and it's a great window into 19th century America.
"There is everything there, from transcendentalism to the American preoccupation with commerce, industry, immigrants and more. They are so complex with an astounding technical accuracy in the detail. Yet, you get a sense of peace when you look at the paintings. It's an otherworldly image he's portraying on canvas."
Susan Erony, an artist and lecturer, said Craig's work is to be commended.
"He's really breaking ground in the realms of Fitz Henry Lane scholarship," she said. "To me, it's just so exciting to have someone locally do that kind of work about such an important American painter."
Craig's program, which includes about 50 digital slides, will include a review of Lane's personal history and art career, complete with new research findings such as previously unknown personal testimonies concerning Lane and his everyday habits, the work and identities of previously unknown students, and his transcendentalist connections. It is expected to last about an hour, followed by time for questions.
Now resident overseer at Beauport in East Gloucester, Craig is the former associate curator for collections at the Cape Ann Historical Museum. Before coming to Gloucester, he worked at Salem's House of the Seven Gables as a museum educator and curatorial assistant. He is currently writing about a major 20th century marine painter from Cape Cod.
* What: "New Revelations on the Life and Art of Fitz Henry Lane," by author James Craig, sponsored by the Society for the Encouragement of the Arts.
* When: Tuesday, March 13 at 7 p.m.
t Where: West End Theater, One Washington Street, Gloucester.
* How: Tickets are $5 for seARTS members, $8 for seniors and $10 general admission, and available at the door. For more information, call seARTS at 978-281-0680, ext. 2, or visit www.searts.org.
print this story email this story