COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. - Fenimore Art Museum is presenting the first major exhibition on the topic of American artists' depictions of 19th century Rome. The exhibit brings together the most influential artists of the period, placing them within the timeless backdrop of the Eternal City and its ancient surroundings.  View over 100 works by celebrated artists including Thomas Cole, Albert Bierstadt, Childe Hassam, George Inness, Thomas Hicks, Jasper Francis Cropsey, John Kensett and others. 

The "America's Rome" exhibition is appearing through December 31, 2009 and was inspired by the landmark 1989 two-volume book of the same title by William L. Vance and the groundbreaking research conducted by Mary K. McGuigan and John F. McGuigan Jr. over the past 20 years. The catalogue includes an essay by William L. Vance summarizing the main ideas of his book; an essay entitled "'This Market of Physiognomy': American Artists and Rome's Art Academies, Life Schools, and Models, 1825-1870" by Mary K. McGuigan; and "American Open-Air Landscape Painting in Rome, 1825-1885" by John F. McGuigan Jr.

New York Times article   (August 14, 2009)