Richard F. Lack (American, 1928–2009), The Concert, 1961, oil on canvas, 21½” x 19½”; Collection of Maryhill Museum of Art, 1963.5.4
Upper Level Changing Exhibitions Gallery (Center two rooms) March 15–November 15, 2026
About the Exhibition
American Classical Realism features approximately 40 paintings produced by four generations of artists. The term ‘American Classical Realism’ is associated with R.H. Ives Gammell (1893–1981), one of the last American artists whose training is traced back to the French academic tradition of the late 18th and 19th centuries. He studied at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and at Académie Julian and Atelier Baschet in Paris, but his work owes much to the paintings of Jacque-Louis David (French, 1748–1824), Hippolyte-Paul Delaroche (French, 1797–1856) and Jean-Léon Gérôme (French, 1824–1904). Gammell’s work was also influenced by teachers William Sergeant Kendall (American, 1869–1938), with whom he studied from 1908–1911, and Boston artist and teacher William McGregor Paxton (American, 1869–1941) who mentored him from 1928–1930.
After 1949, Maryhill Museum of Art hosted solo and group shows of work by Gammell and those within his circle. The museum collection is now home to more than 50 American Classical Realist works: The 2026 exhibition will include four generations of artists, including Richard F. Lack (1928–2009), Robert Douglas Hunter (1928–2014), Samuel Rose (1941–2008), and Stephen Gjertson (b. 1949). The museum is also borrowing several works by related artists for the display.
R.H. Ives Gammell (American, 1893–1981), Janitor’s Boy, c. 1940, oil on canvas, 48” x 38”; Collection of Maryhill Museum of Art, 1950.7.1
Samuel Rose (American, 1941–2008), Attachments, 1967, oil on board, 30½” x 32½”; Collection of Maryhill Museum of Art, 1968.7.1