Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Helen and Harry Gray

Harry Gray was a fabulously successful CEO of United Technologies, the biggest company based in greater Hartford.  He died in 2009 at the age of 89, so he had a quarter century after retirement to devote, with his wife Helen, to philanthropy.  There is hardly any educational, cultural or other philanthropic institution in our area that has not received generous gifts from Helen and Harry Gray.

The top photo is one room at the Wadsworth Atheneum for which they were lead funders. 

The smaller photo to the left is the entrance to the Atheneum, also funded by Helen and Harry Gray.  The space features a mural by Sol Lewitt, a Hartford native who was one of the leaders of conceptualism.  Lewitt believed that the important thing about art is the idea, not the execution.  He often had others do the painting, and many of his works are intended to be temporary.

The statue to the left is "Diana," by Hiram Powers.  It sits at the entrance to the space in the top photo.  The reason I included it in today's post is that it was a gift to the Atheneum from J. Pierpont Morgan in 1914.  J. P. Morgan began his business career in Hartford before moving to New York. 

Support of cultural institutions from the captains of industry goes back a long way, to the Medicis and beyond.
at

14 comments:

  1. Regina KMay 25, 2011 at 6:33 AM

    I enjoyed learning of our forefathers efforts. Great post!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Cezar and LéiaMay 25, 2011 at 6:50 AM

    Beautiful portrait in your first picture and I love the composition with the sculpture of Diana ( last one), it's fabulous!
    Léia

    ReplyDelete
  3. PerthDailyPhotoMay 25, 2011 at 8:05 AM

    Art galleries are such fun to visit, I love going to all the little galleries in Perth and Fremantle, I don't always understand the exhibits, but it's always interesting to try and figure out what it's all supposed to mean!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sylvia KMay 25, 2011 at 9:58 AM

    Great post as always, Jack! The first shot is really superb, terrific composition. Interesting to learn about Harry Gray and the wonderful things that he and his wife did with their money. The sculpture of Diana is beautiful! Have a great day!

    Sylvia

    ReplyDelete
  5. lizziviggiMay 25, 2011 at 10:33 AM

    Thank goodness for philanthropists. I love that last photo, the way Diana appears to be looking over her shoulder at the people in the portrait as if she's thinking "Are they still watching me?"

    ReplyDelete
  6. jooMay 25, 2011 at 11:20 AM

    The first photo is my favourite:)

    ReplyDelete
  7. UnknownMay 25, 2011 at 11:41 AM

    Jack, I just love this museum series, but the composition on top is oustanding. So beautiful! Great posts.

    ReplyDelete
  8. jennyfrecklesMay 25, 2011 at 12:17 PM

    We have much to thank such generous people for - here in UK too - especially for saving our artistic heritage.

    ReplyDelete
  9. RedPatMay 25, 2011 at 2:22 PM

    I am still enthralled with the coloured walls - they seem to set the work off so well. Some people are so generous - thank goodness.

    ReplyDelete
  10. DawnMay 25, 2011 at 7:26 PM

    This is great! I really like that first picture-just draws me right in.
    Nice work...and informative as usual!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. SRQMay 25, 2011 at 9:34 PM

    Love the top shot. Interesting info....especially about Lewitt. How does one have a creative idea for a painting and not executive it himself? Fascinating.

    ReplyDelete
  12. RandyMay 26, 2011 at 12:02 AM

    The first shot is great. I really live the pattern on the wall too.

    ReplyDelete
  13. GunnMay 26, 2011 at 3:11 AM

    Very nice and interesting posting, Jack!

    Gunn / Norway

    ReplyDelete
  14. VPMay 26, 2011 at 5:04 AM

    If Lewitt is right I am probably one of the greatest artists of any time, apart that I can't draw, paint, or sculpt anything...

    ReplyDelete