A Legacy of Collecting The Vincent A. Hartgen Years, 1946-1982

Vincent Hartgen arrived at the University of Maine in 1946 as the founding member of the Department of Art as well as the Museum of Art (then known as the Art Collection). Hartgen’s unique energy and knowledge enabled him to collect with an informed vision emphasizing works on paper, something that was dear to him as an artist. The museum acquired 3,900 works of art in Hartgen’s 36 years as director. The depth of the museum’s collection remains a testament to his tireless pursuits. During a conversation in 1999 Vincent recalled some of the more important and memorable acquisitions. These included the 55 Giovanni Battista Piranesi eighteenth century prints acquired from various donors and 26 works on paper from the Wing Sisters (Adeline and Caroline) which included fine examples by Rockwell Kent, Andrew Wyeth, Edward Hopper, Marsden Hartley and Winslow Homer. Also encompassed in this survey are works by Berenice Abbott, John James Audubon, Alfred Thompson Bricher, Frederick Childe Hassam, Waldo Pierce, John Sloan and Andrew Wyeth. The exhibition will include works created from 1750 - 1970.

During this celebration of Vincent A. Hartgen’s legacy as a museum director and curator, the UMMA has also organized an exhibition from its collection of Vincent’s own work for the Zillman Gallery.