In Conversation with Stephen Lash: The Wadsworth Atheneum

Join us to hear stories and stimulating conversation of America’s oldest art museum, the Wadsworth Atheneum, with Stephen Lash and Dr. Oliver Tostmann, Curator at the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford CT. Learn about the museums storied history and its adventure in introducing European masters, including Picasso and the Russian Ballet, to America.

Founded in 1842, the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art in Hartford, Connecticut, is one of the oldest art museums in the country. Its Hudson River School, European old masters, and Modern art collections are beloved by its visitors and praised by critics around the world. Throughout its history, the museum has played a critical role as a meeting place for art lovers and tastemakers; it has also served as incubator for artists. This talk will highlight some outstanding moments from the institution’s history, shed light on the people involved, and reflect on the museum’s legacy.

Stephen Lash, Ocean House’s Advisor on the Arts and Chairman Emeritus of Christie’s, leads an engaging conversation on the Rosenfeld photography collection at the renowned Mystic Seaport Museum. This special presentation delves into the history, acquisition and preservation of the collection as well as discussing the new book, “On the Water: A Century of Iconic Maritime Photography” by Nick Voulgaris III, with a foreword by Bob Iger. Refreshments will be served, including wine and cheese.

Dr. Oliver Tostmann is the Susan Morse Hilles Curator of European Art for the Wadsworth Atheneum. Most recently, he was curator of the international loan exhibition and editor of the catalogue, Anders Zorn: A European Artist Seduces America, which was the first historic exhibition presented in the Gardner’s new wing. Tostmann holds an M.A. and Dr. phil. in the History of Art, both from Freie Universität Berlin. He has published widely on Renaissance and Baroque artists and has lectured extensively throughout the U.S. and Europe. Tostmann will oversee the Wadsworth’s vast and distinguished European collection of approximately 900 paintings, 500 sculptures, and 3,500 works on paper. In the reinstallation, European paintings, sculpture, and a rotating selection of works on paper will be integrated with equally stellar examples of decorative arts, drawn from the museum’s collection of 3,000 objects, to tell the rich story of European art, culture, and history.

Please note, tickets purchased for this event are non-refundable.