Baton Rouge, Louisiana—The LSU Museum of Art (LSU MOA) is pleased to present Mediterranea: American Art from the Graham D. Williford Collection on view November 17, 2022–February 26, 2023.

Beginning in the 1600s, wealthy, aristocratic young British men regularly traveled to cultural centers throughout continental Europe, visiting cities in Germany, France, and Italy. Initially the routes mirrored those of established religious pilgrimages, often culminating in Rome, the penultimate destination to experience both classical history and modern ideas and culture. By the 19th century, focus shifted away from Rome, and destinations expanded across the Mediterranean region, with intrepid travelers venturing off the traditional routes and exploring areas further abroad, such as Spain, the Middle East (the Holy Land), and North Africa. The trip was considered an essential rite of passage for the fashionably polite. Travelers would return with a heightened sense of taste and a liberal education, having experienced significant centers of antiquity and masterpieces of art firsthand. Many brought home trunks of souvenirs from their adventures—books, works of art, scientific instruments, and cultural artifacts—that were ultimately displayed in libraries, drawing rooms, and galleries built within their estates.

By the mid-1800s, with the introduction of the steamship, Americans were able to cross distances faster and travel farther, easing their journeys abroad. American artists, who had long been influenced by European trends, styles, subjects, and media, ventured to Europe, seeking to absorb the cultural richness and ancient history of the continent. Some learned under master-artists or in established academies, mastering techniques and approaches that they then brought back to America. Others explored traditional regions of the Grand Tour, capturing the essence of the people and places along the route. The Mediterranean allowed artists to visually investigate the land, culture, and community of a region deeply rooted in history, artistic tradition, and literary heritage. They were able to experience renowned works of art directly, studying the paintings and sculptures created by the hands of celebrated masters.

The exhibition Mediterranea: American Art from the Graham D. Williford Collection, features seventy-one works created by American artists who visited or studied in areas included in the Grand Tour tradition. The varied collection of late 19th and early 20th century paintings provides an overview of the Mediterranean and explores the rich diversity of the region, as seen through the eyes of American artists. Their paintings capture the environment, the distinct colors and atmosphere, the varied flora and fauna, and the uniqueness of the people who lived an ocean apart.

This exhibition is made possible by the generous grant and loan of artwork from The Jean and Graham Devoe Williford Charitable Trust in Fairfield, Texas. The Willifords, descendants of an established Texan family, strongly believed in education. As a young man, Graham Williford traveled to Paris to study music. While in Europe, he became enthralled with American Art and the international exchange of ideas, traditions, and styles. Williford returned to America, ultimately becoming a rancher. His devotion to art, however, only grew, with his family amassing more than 1100 artworks, including paintings, sculpture, and decorative objects. The Jean and Graham Devoe Williford Charitable Trust was formed upon his death, fulfilling his wish that his collection would be available for the education and enjoyment of the public. The Foundation actively loans out artworks, hosting exhibitions across the United States in prominent museums such as the Dallas Museum of Art and the Amon Carter Museum of American Art, in Texas, the Hunter Museum of American Art in Tennessee, and the High Museum of Art in Georgia. This exhibition is also sponsored locally by Linda and Robert Bowsher and by Taylor Porter Attorneys At Law.

Mediterranea: American Art from the Graham D. Williford Collection on view November 17, 2022–February 26, 2023 at the LSU Museum of Art.

Join us for the reception of this exhibition on Thursday, December 1 and a lecture by Dr. Mark White, the Executive Director of the New Mexico Museum of Art.

Reception & Lecture on Thursday, December 1

Visit LSU Museum of Art’s Facebook and Instagram pages @lsumoa regularly for program announcements and exhibition updates. For more information: www.lsumoa.org

LSU MOA thanks the generous donors to the LSU MOA Annual Exhibition Fund for making this exhibition possible: Louisiana CAT; The Imo N. Brown Memorial Fund in memory of Heidel Brown and Mary Ann Brown; The Alma Lee, H. N., and Cary Saurage Fund; Charles "Chuck" Edward Schwing; Robert and Linda Bowsher; Becky and Warren Gottsegen; LSU College of Art + Design; Mr. and Mrs. Sanford A. Arst; and The Newton B. Thomas Family/Newtron Group Fund.

ABOUT LSU MUSEUM OF ART
LSU Museum of Art seeks to enrich and inspire through collections, exhibitions, conservation, and education, serving as a cultural and intellectual resource for the University, Baton Rouge, and beyond.

LSU Museum of Art is supported in part by a grant from the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge, funded by the East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President and Metro Council. Additional support is provided by generous donors to the Annual Exhibition Fund, members, and community partners. Supported by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture Recreation and Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council. Funding has also been provided by the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional support provided by Art Bridges and Junior League of Baton Rouge. Thank you to the following sponsors of Free Friday Nights and Free First Sundays at LSU MOA: Louisiana Lottery Corporation and IBERIABANK, a division of First Horizon, for sponsoring free admission and Louisiana CAT for sponsoring programming.

VISITOR INFORMATION
The museum is located in downtown Baton Rouge at 100 Lafayette Street on the Fifth Floor of the Shaw Center for the Arts. General admission is $5 each for adults and children age 13 and over. Admission is free to university faculty and students with ID, children age 12 and under, and museum members. Active duty military members, first responders, and their families receive free admission with ID as part of the Blue Star Museums program. Valid during normal operation hours, show your EBT card and photo ID at the admissions desk and receive free admission for up to 4 individuals. Come back anytime, there’s no limit to how often you can visit through Museums for All. Museum Hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thursday and Friday 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday 1-5 p.m.; and closed on Mondays and major holidays. Free admission occurs on the first Sunday of each month and every Friday night from 5-8 p.m. For more information: visit www.lsumoa.org, call 225-389-7200, and follow the museum on social media @lsumoa for exhibition and program updates.

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