Fralin Catalog (6-21-23) - Flipbook - Page 9
Director’s
Introduction
I
t is an honor to write the opening passage of this catalogue,
heralding the presentation of Treasures of American Art: The
Cynthia & Heywood Fralin Collection, on view at the Taubman
Museum of Art from May 13 to September 4, 2022.
While I have written many catalogue introductions, it is rare to
know two people who are not only extraordinarily well-versed
and respected in the art world, but who have also monumentally
impacted research, healthcare, and industry in Roanoke and
throughout the entire Commonwealth. Working with each of
them over the past several years and experiencing firsthand their
instrumental active role in the Museum’s continued growth and
long-term sustainability is a highlight of my career.
Just as the Fralins have been generous in supporting our organization’s
programming and operations over the years, they have been equally
supportive in helping us curate this exhibition — allowing us to
present their entire collection of ninety-three paintings from sixtyfour important American artists spanning the period of 1861 to 1975,
on view together for the very first time.
The Cynthia and Heywood Fralin Collection complements and
expands upon the Horace G. Fralin Charitable Trust gift to the
Taubman Museum of Art, which is also currently on view in our
galleries of American Art 1850 to 1950 in the Fralin Center for
American Art. Cynthia and Heywood have assembled one of the
most distinguished and comprehensive private collections of
American art, aided through the expert guidance and advice of Debra
Force, owner of Debra Force Fine Art, Inc., in Manhattan.
Cindy M. Petersen, Ed.M.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
TAUBMAN MUSEUM OF ART
There are many ways to explore the story of American art from the
late 19th to the early 20th centuries; the Fralin Collection relates a
uniquely American journey. The paintings adhere strongly to artistic
traditions that have a decidedly homegrown lineage and schools of
painting with distinctly New World origins while also revealing telling
European influences.
9
