ROCHESTER, NY.- The Memorial Art Gallery (MAG) of the University of Rochester announces the acquisition of several remarkable works of American art, further strengthening its esteemed permanent collection. These additions underscore MAG’s commitment to collecting works that inspire dialogue, enrich cultural understanding, and celebrate the diversity of American artistic expression.
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“This group of acquisitions significantly enhances our collection of American art,” said Jessica Marten, Curator of American Art at MAG. “Each work adds a compelling new dimension to our collection, providing visitors with a richer, more comprehensive perspective on the evolution of American artistic traditions.”
Highlights of the Recent Acquisitions:
- Gladys Findlay (1905) by George Bellows (1882–1925)
- Blowing Smoke Rings (1938) by Isabel Bishop (1902–1988)
- Death on the Beach (1945) by Ben Shahn (1898–1969)
Additional acquisitions include works by Honoré Desmond Sharrer, Salvador Dalí, Jean François Millet, and Karel Appel, expanding the museum’s range of artistic styles and narratives. The newly acquired works highlight the breadth of American artistic achievement, from the social realism of Ben Shahn to the dreamlike imagery of Salvador Dalí, and a portrait by George Bellows, likely previously unseen by much of the art world.
Gladys Findlay by George Bellows
“The Bellows portrait is a landmark acquisition for MAG,” said Marten. Painted in 1905, this rare early portrait by renowned American artist George Bellows dates from his time as a young art student newly arrived in New York from Cleveland, Ohio. The sitter, Gladys Findlay, a native New Yorker, was just seventeen when she posed for the artist. Bellows exhibited the portrait numerous times during his lifetime before gifting it to Findlay in 1922. “This remarkable gift has been passed down through the sitter’s family and now joins other Bellows works in MAG’s permanent collection, which includes nine prints, two drawings, and two paintings: Evening Group (1914) and Autumn Brook (1922). The portrait is scheduled to undergo conservation treatment before going on view.” Gladys Findlay was generously given to the Memorial Art Gallery by Bill McCale and Gail Hill Gordon in March of 2025.
Blowing Smoke Rings by Isabel Bishop
Another standout among the recent acquisitions is Blowing Smoke Rings (1938) by Isabel Bishop, a pivotal figure in 20th-century American realism. This evocative work showcases Bishop's focus on the everyday experiences of urban women, a hallmark of the Fourteenth Street School of artists. Blowing Smoke Rings was purchased through the Marion Stratton Gould Fund.
Death on the Beach by Ben Shahn
Also new to MAG’s collection is Death on the Beach (1945), a powerful painting by Ben Shahn, a leading figure in 20th-century Social Realism. Acquired through the Marion Stratton Gould Fund, this work reflects Shahn’s deep anti-war convictions during World War II. Death on the Beach captures the profound loneliness and despair wrought by war, conveying both physical devastation and enduring psychological impact. Death on the Beach was purchased through the Marion Stratton Gould Fund.
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