Walters Art Museum New Acquisitions: Celebrating Diversity Through Art

Tavern Owner on a Veranda with Two of Her Staff and a Client 1650s, an oil on panel by  Willem van Herp is one of the works in the Walters Art Museum new acquisitions

The Walters Art Museum’s new acquisitions include five stunning paintings promoting dialogue around gender, race, and education in the arts.

BY KAZEEM ADELEKE, ARTCENTRON

BALTIMORE, MD – The Walters Art Museum has announced the acquisition of five new paintings that address topical narratives of gender, race, religion, and education access. These works span various genres and time periods, enriching the museum’s already diverse permanent collection.

Among the notable additions are Tavern Owner on a Veranda with Two of Her Staff and a Client (1650s) by Willem van Herp, Two Students in the Life Room of the Heatherley School of Fine Art (1902) by Nellie Joshua, Cintli, Corn, Maíz (2020) by Jessy DeSantis, and two pieces by Yelimane Fall—wāw (و) (2003) and Symphony of Sīn (2005).

Gina Borromeo, Interim Co-Director of the museum, stated, “Expanding our collection reflects the diversity of Baltimore’s residents. These acquisitions enhance visibility for diverse artists and subjects. Our mission is to create connections between our artworks and the community, fostering dialogues that extend beyond our galleries.”

Highlighted Works in the Walters Art Museum New Acquisitions

Cintli, Corn, Maíz by Jessy DeSantis stands out for its vibrant portrayal of a multicolored corn cob, intertwined with elements from the artist’s Central American heritage. This acrylic painting, completed in 2020, connects deeply with the Maize Deity statue already in the Walters collection. It illustrates the spiritual significance of corn across time.

Two Students in the Life Room of the Heatherley School of Fine Art by Nellie Joshua offers a rare glimpse into women’s experiences in art education during the 19th century. This oil painting captures two women engaged in conversation within an art studio. It challenges the norms of an era when it was controversial for women to attend art school.

Willem van Herp’s Tavern Owner on a Veranda provides an early representation of a Black businesswoman in 17th-century Europe. The painting highlights the economic agency of a richly dressed Black woman. It symbolizes the growing involvement of people of African ancestry in the Southern Netherlands’ economic landscape.

New Perspectives from Yelimane Fall

Senegalese artist Yelimane Fall contributes two significant works. wāw (و) is part of a series showcasing letters from the Arabic alphabet, merging traditional calligraphy with contemporary themes. This piece reflects Fall’s exploration of Islamic spirituality through art. His second work, Symphony of Sīn, merges Arabic calligraphy with vibrant colors associated with healing properties. This abstract piece invites viewers to engage deeply, invoking the spiritual power of language.

These new acquisitions are part of the Walters Art Museum’s commitment to diversity and representation. Some of these works will be integral to the museum’s first permanent Latin American exhibition opening in May 2025. Others are set to go on display in the upcoming show Art and Process, debuting on October 24, 2024.

The Walters Art Museum new acquisitions show the museum’s commitment to correcting past mistakes. With these new works, the museum emphasizes its role as a vital cultural hub, promoting inclusivity and dialogue through its expanding collection. Visitors can look forward to engaging with these new pieces, which promise to spark meaningful discussions on the issues of race, gender, and inclusivity.