Figge Art Museum

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The Figge Art Museum

The Figge Art Museum opened in Davenport, Iowa on August 6, 2005. Designed by London architect David Chipperfield, the Figge replaced the Davenport Museum of Art, which had its beginnings with a municipal art gallery that began in 1925.^[1] The first pieces of its collections were donated by Davenport community leader Charles Ficke, who collected art from around the world.

The Figge Art Museum gets its name from the V.O. and Elizabeth Kahl Figge Foundation, which donated $13 million towards its construction. The Figge family has a long tradition of philanthropy and cultural enrichment.

The museum is 100,000 square feet (9300 m²) and is affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution.^[2] It is best known for its extensive collection of Haitian art, and Midwestern art, particularly pieces by Thomas Hart Benton and Grant Wood, including the only self-portrait Wood ever painted. It also houses American, European, Mexican and Asian collections. The museum also houses the Grant Wood archives, and received a $120,000 grant from the Luce Foundation for the conservation of these archives.

Its inaugural exhibition, "The Great American Thing: 1915-1935" opened September 17, 2005 and featured major works from early American Modernists.^[3] Actor and well-known painter Martin Mull visited the Figge during an exhibition of his works in 2006.

The museum is in the 100-year flood plain in Davenport, but it is built elevated above that level to prevent any damage from potential floods. Its design will enable the facility to remain open during 100-year floods.

[edit] References

^ Stephens, Suzanne (2005-11). Project Portfolio / Figge Art Museum. Architectural Record. The McGraw-Hill Companies. Retrieved on 2007-02-07.
^ Smithsonian Affiliations. Smithsonian Affiliations. Retrieved on 2007-02-07.
^ Logan, Katharine (2005-11-09). Design - Art Urbane - 2005.1109. Architecture Week. Artifice, Inc.. Retrieved on 2007-02-07.