Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art

Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art. The museum is located on the Cornell University campus in Ithaca, New York, and was founded by Herbert F. Johnson, a Cornell University alumnus and former president of S.C. Johnson & Son. The museum's collection includes over 35,000 works of art, with a focus on Asian art, European art, and American art, including pieces by Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet, and Georgia O'Keeffe. The museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and is a member of the Association of Art Museum Directors.

● History

The museum was established in 1973 with a gift from Herbert F. Johnson, who was a member of the Cornell University Board of Trustees and a prominent businessman. The museum's first director was Thomas W. Leavitt, who played a key role in shaping the museum's collection and exhibitions, including shows featuring works by Vincent van Gogh, Johannes Vermeer, and Rembrandt van Rijn. Over the years, the museum has undergone several renovations and expansions, including a major renovation in 2011 led by Pei Cobb Freed & Partners, which also designed the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Louvre Pyramid. The museum has also collaborated with other institutions, such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art, on exhibitions and programming.

● Collections

The museum's collection includes a diverse range of works, from ancient Chinese ceramics to contemporary photography by artists such as Ansel Adams and Dorothea Lange. The museum is particularly known for its collection of Asian art, which includes works from China, Japan, and Korea, such as pieces by Hokusai and Hiroshige. The museum also has a strong collection of European art, with works by artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael. In addition, the museum has a significant collection of American art, including works by John Singleton Copley, Winslow Homer, and Mary Cassatt. The museum's collection also includes works by African American artists, such as Jacob Lawrence and Romare Bearden, as well as Native American artists, such as George Morrison.

● Architecture

The museum's building was designed by I.M. Pei and Pei Cobb Freed & Partners, and features a unique blend of modern architecture and natural beauty, with a design inspired by the Guggenheim Museum and the National Gallery of Art. The building is situated on a hill overlooking Cayuga Lake and the surrounding Finger Lakes region, and features a striking glass atrium and a sculpture garden with works by artists such as Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth. The museum's design has been praised for its innovative use of natural light and its integration with the surrounding landscape, which is reminiscent of the Tate Modern and the Centre Pompidou. The building has also been recognized for its sustainable design, which includes features such as green roofs and rain gardens, similar to those found at the California Academy of Sciences and the National Museum of the American Indian.

● Exhibitions

The museum hosts a wide range of exhibitions throughout the year, featuring works from its own collection as well as loans from other institutions, such as the National Gallery of Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Recent exhibitions have included shows on contemporary art by artists such as Ai Weiwei and Kehinde Wiley, as well as exhibitions on art and technology and art and social justice, featuring works by artists such as Pierre Huyghe and Marina Abramovic. The museum has also hosted exhibitions on art and culture from around the world, including shows on African art, Latin American art, and Middle Eastern art, featuring works by artists such as El Anatsui and Shirin Neshat. The museum's exhibitions are often curated in collaboration with other institutions, such as the Museum of Modern Art and the Tate Modern, and have been recognized for their innovative and thought-provoking approach to art and culture, similar to those found at the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Walker Art Center.

● Education

The museum offers a range of educational programs and activities for visitors of all ages, from family-friendly tours to academic lectures and artist talks, featuring speakers such as Hal Foster and T.J. Clark. The museum also offers internships and fellowships for students and emerging artists, as well as professional development opportunities for art educators and curators, in partnership with institutions such as the College Art Association and the Association of Art Museum Curators. The museum's education programs are designed to promote art literacy and cultural understanding, and to provide visitors with a deeper appreciation of the art and culture on display, similar to those found at the Getty Museum and the Art Institute of Chicago. The museum also collaborates with other institutions, such as the Cornell University College of Arts & Sciences and the Ithaca City School District, to develop innovative and effective art education programs, inspired by the Bauhaus and the Black Mountain College.