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• Art

Scope and History of the Museum's Art Collection The origin of the art collections of the Staten Island Museum date from 1905 and cover a broad range of artistic styles and periods. Most of the objects, collected to promote the public's interest in historical and contemporary art, fall into two categories: those that reflect the history, people and culture of Staten Island and those that reflect broad world civilizations. Although Egyptian, Greek, and Roman artifacts from the Ancient world, were being collected as early as 1911, with the acquisition of the MacDonald collection, the major bulk of the art collection came to the Museum post-1930. Over the years, the acquisitions of the Museum have included many portraits of prominent Staten Islanders, such as Ernest L. Ipsen's elegant double portrait of Mrs. Fulton Mills and her son Arthur. Mrs. Fulton Mills and her son, Arthur Ernest L. Ipsen oil on canvas, 74" x 41" Gift of Mr. James W. Wycokoff A1979.2   Also popular among the early acquisitions were numerous 19th landscapes depicting Staten Island, most notably the monumental Looking Oceanward from Todt Hill, a late work by famed 19th century painter Jasper F. Cropsey, acquired in 1946. Looking Oceanward From Todt Hill, 1895 Jasper F. Cropsey oil on canvas, Gift of Committee of Donors A1946:3595   Gradually, the Museum collection expanded into a broader regional study collection. During the 1950s the Museum began acquiring European and American art that was not related to Staten Island. The 1950s also saw an increase in the collection of non-European art. The collection includes African, Native American, and particularly fine Asian decorative objects. During the 1960s the Museum was the recipient of part of the renowned Kress Collection of Italian Renaissance art, along with many other museums in the United States. In the 1970s the Museum further enlarged its scope to collect decorative arts, furniture, costumes and textiles ranging from the 16th to the 20th centuries . Today the Museum is an active supporter of the Staten Island arts community and presents a mix of historical and contemporary art exhibits linked thematically to Staten Island. Verazzanno Narrows Bridge, 2001 Joseph Konopka acrylic on canvas, 10" x 40" Gift of the Artist A2002.1   In keeping with the its mission of multidisciplinary study, the Museum is particularly interested in contemporary art with themes relating to ecology and natural history. The Museum is always pursuing collaborative efforts with other Staten Island cultural organizations to display its art collection and make them available to as large an audience as possible. For example, in 2000 the Museum began a series of collaborations with the College of Staten Island called SIIAS @ CSI (at  www.library.csi.cuny.edu/siias), which make items from the Museum study collection of world civilization material available for scholarly research at the CSI campus. Also at the College is an important allegorical mural by the 19th century artist John LaFarge entitled Angel of the Sun. On long-term loan, you can find it at the College's Library rotunda. The restoration of this treasure has been made possible through a grant from the Henry Luce Foundation, which matched funding from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs. Angel of the Sun (detail) c. 1900 John LaFarge oil on paper and canvas, 9'6" x 9'6" Gift of Elizabeth Ives Bartholet A1975.6