By Joyce Kryszak
Buffalo, NY – The Albright Knox Art Gallery has launched yet another banner exhibition. "Modigliani and the Artists of Montparnasse" is the first major exhibit of the modernist pioneer's work in 40 years. The show, which opened last week, follows a series of successful banner exhibitions for the gallery in the past few years.
Western New Yorkers could get spoiled. Over the last few years, the Albright has presented an almost non-stop parade of work by some of the world's best known artists. It began, most memorably - and profitably - with the Summer of Monet in 1999. But since then, the pallet of masterworks has grown each year.
French influenced art seems to be the recipe that works. Following Monet at Giverny, there was James Tissot in the summer of 2000. Then last fall, it was the Triumph of French Painting, offering a potpourri of influential masters. Now, the Albright brings us a rare look at Modigliani and his French contemporaries.
Kenneth Wayne is curator for the exhibition that has garnered international attention. He has reason to be pleased. There are more than 80 works, by Modigliani, as well as Picasso, Matisse, Chagall and others. And, as Wayne says, none of this stuff is B list. In fact, art critics are hailing this as "one of the year's don't miss exhibitions."
It will travel to the west coast after leaving Buffalo. But this isn't just another touring exhibition. It's a touring exhibit that originated at the Albright Knox. Wayne spent three years building the show, borrowing from galleries and private collections all over the world.
Dozens of prestigious galleries and collectors lent major works to the Albright-Knox for this exhibition. But why would places like the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Tate in London trust send priceless pieces of art to Buffalo? Albright Knox Gallery Director Douglas Schultz says they're returning the favor.
Schultz says the Albright-Knox has also earned a reputation as being an organization that can be trusted to care for and protect the precious treasures they borrow.
Lighting, climate and shipping must all be carefully controlled. For example, most of Modigliani's limestone sculptures were too fragile to be transported, under any conditions. And the seven that are here for the exhibit are being handled with special loving care.
Schultz says this is another area where the gallery needs a lending hand. He says the insurance risk alone would be prohibitive if it weren't for local and national underwriters, like the National Endowment for the Arts.
And the Albright-Knox plans to continue the trend of mounting original exhibitions. A smaller show, featuring seven contemporary artists, is scheduled for next year. And museum officials say another original banner exhibition will also soon be in the planning. That's good news for the region, since internationally recognized shows create a multi-million dollar economic impact.
Modigliani and the Artists of Monparnasse is now open for all to enjoy. Times tickets are available for the exhibition which runs through January 12th. And while you're there, be sure to enjoy the musical audio tour as well. It features the music you've been hearing - also home grown, and recorded especially for this show by Buffalo's own Philharmonic Orchestra.