The Sterling & Francine Clark Art Institute, usually referred to simply as "The Clark," is an art museum with a large and varied collection located in Williamstown, Massachusetts. Along with the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MassMoCA) and the Williams College Museum of Art (WCMA), it forms a trio of excellent art museums and resources in The Berkshires. Williamstown is a town located in Berkshire County, Massachusetts. ... State nickname: Bay State Official languages English Capital Boston Largest city Boston Governor Mitt Romney (R) Senators Edward Kennedy (D), John Kerry (D) Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 44th 27,360 km² 25. ... The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, commonly referred to as MASS MoCA, is a museum located in North Adams, Massachusetts. ... The Berkshires (pronounced as berk-shurs) are a branch of the Appalachian Mountains, centered in Western Massachusetts (with portions located in the adjacent states of Vermont, New York, and Connecticut), often referred to as the Berkshire Hills, although Massachusetts residents frequently refer to them as the Berkshire Mountains. ...

The Clarks

"The Clark" was created by entrepreneur, soldier, explorer, and prominent art collector Sterling Clark, and his wife, Francine. After numerous adventures in the Far East, Sterling settled in Paris in 1911 and used a considerable fortune inherited from his grandfather to begin a private art collection. Francine joined him in collecting after they married in 1919. Far East is an inexact term often used for East Asia and Southeast Asia combined, sometimes including also the easternmost territories of Russia, i. ... The Eiffel Tower has become a symbol of Paris throughout the world. ... 1911 (MCMXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar). ... 1919 (MCMXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ...

The collection

At first, the Clarks concentrated on Italian, Dutch, and Flemish Old Master paintings. Eventually, their interests turned to more recent artists and they developed a great affinity for the works of John Singer Sargent, Edgar Degas, Winslow Homer, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. After 1920, the Clarks focused mainly on the art of 19th century France — specifically works of Impressionism and the Barbizon School. An Old Master (or old master) is one of the great European painters who lived 1500 through 1800, or a painting by one of these painters. ... Self Portrait, oil painting, 1907 John Singer Sargent (January 12, 1856 – April 14, 1925) was a painter known for his portraits. ... Edgar Degas Edgar Degas (July 19, 1834 – September 27, 1917) was a French painter and sculptor. ... Winslow Homer Winslow Homer (February 24, 1836 - September 29, 1910) was an American landscape painter. ... Pierre-Auguste Renoir Pierre-Auguste Renoir (February 25, 1841 – December 3, 1919) was a French artist who painted in the impressionist style. ... 1920 (MCMXX) is a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar) // Events January January 7 - Forces of Russian White admiral Kolchak surrender in Krasnoyarsk. ... Impressionism was a 19th century art movement, that began as a loose association of Paris-based artists who began publicly exhibiting their art in the 1860s. ... The Gleaners. ...

Over the ensuing 35 years, they amassed a collection of stunning quality and breadth. It included paintings, porcelain, silver, prints, and drawings from the 14th to the 19th century, by both famous and completely obscure artists.

Creating a museum

The Clarks kept their collection entirely private, rarely lending out any works. By the late 1940s, however, they became worried about the safety of their artwork. With the onset of the Cold War and rapid nuclear armament, they wanted to protect their collection from the possibility of an attack on New York City, where they lived. The Clarks began looking at sites in rural New York and Massachusetts with the intention of founding a museum for their art. For the generic term for a high-tension struggle between countries, see cold war (war). ... The construction of the Empire State Building, 1930. ... State nickname: The Empire State Official languages English Capital Albany Largest city New York City Governor George Pataki (R) Senators Charles Schumer (D) Hillary Clinton (D) Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 27th 141,205 km² 13. ... State nickname: Bay State Official languages English Capital Boston Largest city Boston Governor Mitt Romney (R) Senators Edward Kennedy (D), John Kerry (D) Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 44th 27,360 km² 25. ...

They visited Williamstown, Massachusetts in 1949 and began having conversations with town leader and the administrators of Williams College and the Williams College Museum of Art. Sterling had ties to the college through his grandfather and father, both of whom had been trustees. A charter for the Clark was signed on March 14, 1950 and the Institute opened to the public on May 17, 1955. His ass didn't make it. 1949 (MCMXLIX) is a common year starting on Saturday. ... Williams College is a private, coeducational, highly-selective liberal arts college located in Williamstown, Massachusetts. ... 1950 (MCML) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1955 (MCMLV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Ass has several meanings: In zoology, an ass was the original word for donkey. ...

The Clark today

Since 1955, the Clark has continued to acquire artworks, with a recent focus on expanding its photography collection. Today, it is best known for works of French Impressionism, especially the paintings of Renoir, and a fine collection of British and American silver.

The Institute has become a significant destination for tourists, art lovers, and scholars. It has helped establish the great cultural reputation of The Berkshires.

The Clark offers a wide range of educational programs and opportunities. In addition to artwork, it houses a major art conservation center and art history library. Its relations with Williams continue to be friendly and all students from the college are admitted for free. It also co-sponsors the college's famed graduate program in the history of art, from which many current museum curators graduated. The Institute sponsors a number of fellowships, lectures, colloquia, conferences, and performing arts programs every year.

Recently, the Clark has retained the services of famous architect Tadao Ando to design a major addition to the current buildings and campus. The Westin Awaji Island designed by Ando The Water Temple in Awaji Shima, Japan Tadao Ando (安藤忠雄 Andō Tadao, born September 13, 1941 in Osaka, Japan) is a Japanese architect whose approach to architecture is sometimes categorised as Critical Regionalism. ...

External link

• Clark Art Institute Website