Perfection in Art: The Freer Gallery of Art
Freer’s Pursuit of Perfection
Charles Lang Freer, an American connoisseur, was relentlessly driven by the pursuit of perfection in art. This obsession guided his meticulous assembly of a remarkable collection of Asian and American art. Freer believed that an aesthetic spirit transcended time and geography, connecting diverse objects into a harmonious whole.
The Freer Gallery of Art
In 1904, Freer offered his collection to the Smithsonian Institution. Initially hesitant, the Smithsonian eventually accepted Freer’s gift, establishing its first art museum in 1906. Freer spent the rest of his life enhancing the collection, seeking a physical setting that would complement the beauty and harmony of the objects.
Italian Renaissance Architecture and the Freer Gallery
Freer commissioned architect Charles Platt to design an Italian Renaissance-style building to house his collection. The resulting granite structure, adjacent to the Smithsonian Castle, opened as the Freer Gallery of Art in 1923. A major renovation in the 1990s preserved its original beauty.
Freer’s Restrictions and Their Evolution
Freer initially imposed strict restrictions on his gift, prohibiting growth, loans, or the display of external objects. However, he later allowed additions to the Asian portion of the collection. Freer remained steadfast in his resistance to modernist aesthetics, which he viewed as incompatible with his ideal of perfection.
The Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
In 1987, the Smithsonian opened the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, a second museum of Asian art linked to the Freer. Unlike the Freer, the Sackler had no restrictions on lending or exhibiting objects. The two museums complemented each other, each with its own strengths.
Julian Raby and the Future of Asian Art
In May, Julian Raby became the new director of the Freer and Sackler Galleries. With his diverse experience as a scholar, curator, and publisher, Raby aims to expand the audience for Asian art. He emphasizes the importance of research, exhibitions, and accessibility to the American public.
The National Museum of Asian Art
Together, the Freer and Sackler Galleries form the national museum of Asian art. Despite the Sackler’s more flexible lending policy, a significant portion of the Freer’s collection remains permanently housed in its ideal setting.
Asian Art in the Freer Gallery
The Freer Gallery’s Asian holdings have grown substantially since Freer’s death. Curators and scholars have meticulously researched and acquired new objects, ensuring their seamless integration with the original collection. The gallery’s diverse collection includes bronzes, jades, screens, scrolls, ceramics, paintings, and metalwork.
Freer’s Legacy
Freer’s unwavering belief in perfection left an enduring mark on the world of Asian art. His collection and the Freer Gallery of Art continue to inspire and educate visitors, showcasing the beauty, harmony, and cultural connections that transcend time and geography.