July 14–October 18, 2009

A New and Native Beauty

The Art and Craft of Greene & Greene

In 1915, architect Charles Greene (1868-1957) wrote, "I seek till I find what is truly useful, and then I try to make it beautiful." The architecture and decorative arts designed by Charles and his brother Henry Greene (1870-1954) a century ago are now recognized internationally as among the best work of the American Arts and Crafts Movement. The Greenes' careful consideration of every detail of the buildings and objects they designed, including geography, climate, landscape, and lifestyle afforded them tremendous success. Their experiences in Boston during their academic studies and early career laid the groundwork for their later innovative style, which shows the strong influence of Japanese design.

"A New and Native Beauty: The Art and Craft of Greene & Greene" commemorates the legacy of Greene and Greene and the centennial of the period that included their finest work in both architecture and decorative arts. Highlights include objects representing a variety of media, including beautifully inlaid furniture crafted from exotic hardwoods, artfully executed stained glass and metalwork, as well as rare architectural drawings and photographs.

This exhibition is a partnership with The Gamble House and the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens honoring the centennial of The Gamble House and the work of Charles Sumner and Henry Mather Greene. The Gamble House in Pasadena, California, is the best preserved and most complete example of Greene and Greene's work. For more information, visit The Gamble House website.

Sponsors

The exhibition is supported at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, by the Windgate Charitable Foundation, the MFA Associates/MFA Senior Associates Exhibition Endowment Fund, and the Felicia Fund. Programming support is provided by Guardian Stewardship. Support for the national tour of the exhibition is provided by the Ayrshire Foundation, the Henry Luce Foundation, the Steve and Kelly McLeod Family Foundation, the Windgate Charitable Foundation, Joseph D. Messler, Jr., the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, and Margaret Winslow. This exhibition has been organized by the Gamble House, USC, and The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens, California, in cooperation with the Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian American Art Museum, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.