With the rapid advancements made in science and technology, it’s easy to forget that some of our most precious creations come from past eras. Thankfully, the Bryan/College Station area is home to many galleries continually displaying various art exhibitions, and among them is The Forsyth Gallery, located in Texas A&M’s Memorial Student Center. Originally constructed as a museum, The Forsyth Galleries now permanently display important artwork, specifically century glass and American paintings, from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As a part of the University Art Galleries, their mission is to serve as the premiere resource for art and research while providing a welcoming space for inspiration.
Currently on display at The Forsyth Gallery is “Divine Works: Mythology in the Arts,” which is an art exhibition that is free and open to the general public.
“Mythology in the Arts” features artwork, antiquities, and architecture from the Neoclassical period, which spanned from the mid-18th century to the late 19th century. While the movement began in Rome, it traveled through Europe and ended in North America. Young, wealthy travelers would explore Grand Tours of the Mediterranean and return with ideas and influences that remained unheard of to budding artists. It was during this time that Western artists began to draw inspiration from the classical works of Greece and Rome across all genres of creativity including music, theatre, sculpture, and literature.
The exhibition features George Woodall, a famous English sculptor who was repeatedly inspired by the subjects of Greek and Roman mythology. Working in a medium of cameo glass, typically white glass figures carved onto a dark background, Woodall has created numerous intricate pieces that remain a permanent feature in the Texas A&M Runyon Art Collection.
“Divine Works: Mythology in the Arts” is on display from January 17 to April 23, and everyone is welcome to stop by the gallery. Additional information can be found online at the University Art Galleries website.
