Dive deeper into the world of art with the Gilcrease curatorial team. Learn about the history behind pieces in the Gilcrease collection you know and love, and discover new facts about art and artifacts you may never have imagined.
Many of the items discussed in the below conversations are featured in the Gilcrease online collections. Take a look at the online collection yourself.
Uncover LGBTQ history in the American West through the story of painter Alfred Jacob Miller in this video with Senior Curator Laura Fry. Explore at Miller’s portrayal of the relationship between Scottish nobleman William Drummond Stewart and his friend Antoine Clement, a Metis hunting guide, and how Miller himself may have been involved.
Take a closer look at Trappers Threatened by Crow Indians by Alfred Jacob Miller online.
The Lackey Project was a uniquely creative collaboration dedicated to preserving the past for future generations. The result of this partnership was the addition of more than 100 paintings to the Gilcrease Museum collection between 1945 and 1949.
With all this talk about Tesla, we can’t help but remember when Gilcrease Museum almost moved to Austin nearly 70 years ago. In this video with Senior Curator Laura Fry, explore how the citizens of Tulsa came together to save Gilcrease Museum in the 1950s, shortly after the museum opened to the public.
As we continue our exploration of #UnexpectedGilcrease, take a look at the surprising backstory of artist Charles Schreyvogel, who created some of the most epic images of the western frontier—from his home in New Jersey.
Don’t forget to check out the work by Charles Schreyvogel in the Gilcrease online collection.
It’s time for more #UnexpectedGilcrease! Explore unique objects from the Gilcrease collection in this weeklong series beginning with this video telling the story behind several objects that Thomas Gilcrease acquired from the Freedom Train.
One of these objects is “Signing of the Constitution” by Howard Chandler Christy, which you can view online.
In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, hear from our Director of Learning and Community Engagement Alison Rossi about Mexican artist Alfredo Zalce, and one of his works in the Gilcrease collection.
Take a closer look at his painting, El Coscomate, online.
Learn more about Paul Revere and Revolutionary history in this final video highlighting the Paul Revere Certification, dated April 29, 1775, in the Gilcrease collection.
Take a closer look at this treasured document online.
Hear from our Curator of History, Mark Dolph, about a very special document in the Gilcrease Collection, the Paul Revere Certification. This document, dated April 29, 1775, allowed Revere to move about the Cambridge and Boston area to warn the minutemen of British troops.
View the Paul Revere Certification online.
In celebration of Earth Day, learn more about artist Joseph Henry Sharp who, while well known for his depictions of Native peoples in the Northern Great Plains and the Southwest, also found inspiration in nature.
Explore more Sharp paintings in the Gilcrease online collection.
As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, hear from Curator of History Mark Dolph about an interesting piece in the Gilcrease Collection, “New Principles of Gardening” by Batty Langley. Learn about why this specific copy of the book, first published in 1728, is so special.
Take a closer look at the referenced book in the online collections.
Discover #UnexpectedGilcrease in this video by Senior Curator Laura Fry about one of the most unusual paintings in the Gilcrease collection, “The Wolf Charmer” by John La Farge.
See the painting for yourself using the Gilcrease online collection.
Explore unique objects from the Gilcrease collection in our #UnexpectedGilcrease series. Today, hear from Senior Curator and Curator of Art Laura Fry about Western landscape artist William R. Leigh’s fascination with science fiction stemming from his work as an illustrator for HG Wells.
Take a closer look at Leigh’s “Landscape on the Moon” here.
In celebration of Easter, hear from Senior Curator of Art Laura Fry about an interesting Easter piece in the Gilcrease collection by Charles Russell.
Take a closer look at this piece, which consists of an actual decorated chicken eggshell, using the Gilcrease online collection.
Artists throughout history have faced hardships including war and disease. In return, they represent these trials in their work. In this video, take a closer look at one artist’s response to the Spanish Flu and World War I, and learn about his portrayal of hope in the midst of despair.
See the painting, “Hunger” by Walter Ufer in the Gilcrease online collection.
Is anyone else getting to spend more quality time with their pets? Check out this video by our Senior Curator of Art Laura Fry and her cat Kiddo featuring “Texas Leopard Cat” by John Woodhouse Audubon from the Gilcrease Collection.
Take a closer look at “Texas Leopard Cat” by John Woodhouse Audubon in the online collection.