Art Conversation Talk at the Figge Art Museum -- March 12. (pictured: National Gallery of Art.)
Thursday, March 12, 6 p.m.
Figge Art Museum, 225 West Second Street, Davenport IA
Held in conjunction with the current exhibit The Golden Age: Featuring Northern European Works from the Collection of the National Gallery of Art, Davenport's Figge Art Museum will host a special Art Conservation Talk on March 12, the event featuring a program conservator visiting the Quad Cities from the National Gallery of Art.
The loaned works in the Golden Age exhibit date from 1537 to 1700, and include examples by leading artists Lucas Cranach the Elder, Anthony van Dyck, Frans Hals, and Louis Vallée. The Figge's own Northern European paintings are paired with National Gallery works in four thematic sections: Portraiture, History, Still Life, and Genre Scenes. The Figge’s partnership with the National Gallery of Art makes it possible to share extraordinary works – typically seen only in major metropolitan centers like Chicago, New York, or Washington, D.C.
“We’re thrilled to bring these masterworks to the Quad Cities as part of the National Gallery of Art’s ‘Across the Nation’ initiative,” said Melissa Mohr, Executive Director & CEO of the Figge Art Museum. “It’s not every day that paintings by Van Dyck or Cranach make their way to our community, and for many here, this may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience them in person. This exhibition is a powerful reflection of the Figge’s mission to bring world-class art to our community and deepen the cultural life of the Quad Cities.”
“‘Across the Nation’ is the manifestation of the National Gallery’s vision as the Nation’s art museum. We are so thrilled to bring some of the most excellent and beloved works from the Nation’s collection directly into communities across the country as we commemorate the 250th anniversary of America,” said Kaywin Feldman, director of the National Gallery of Art.
The National Gallery of Art worked with all partner institutions – specially selected to broaden access to the national collection in as many regions of the United States as possible – to curate a unique selection of artworks for each “Across the Nation” presentation. The selections introduce artists and perspectives new to these communities while complementing each museum’s own collections and programming.
Through this initiative, works of art by renowned artists from the National Gallery’s collection will be on loan at 10 partner museums in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Utah, and Washington, creating unprecedented accessibility to the Nation’s masterworks by placing them directly in communities across the country. “Across the Nation” is part of the National Gallery’s programming commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States of America, taking place in 2026, which also includes a series of special installations and exhibitions, on-site programs, and digital content.
The Art Conservation Talk will be held in Davenport on March 12, with the Figge bar open for food and beverages at 5 p.m. (cards only) and the program starting at 6 p.m. The Golden Age: Featuring Northern European Works from the Collection of the National Gallery of Art exhibit will be on display through April 4, 2027, admission to the Thursdays at the Figge presentation is free, and more information is available by calling (563)326-7804 and visiting FiggeArtMuseum.org.
