Clark Institute Lecture On May 7

Explores ‘Framing Colonial Albany’

MUST RUN 5/2 CLARK INSTITUTE LECTURE ON MAY 7 EXPLORE “FRAMING COLONIAL ALBANY” set 4/28 AVV/cd #737300

WILLIAMSTOWN, MASS. — Over the past year, 2008 Lenett Fellow Katherine Alcauskas worked with conservators from the Williamstown Art Conservation Center researching an Eighteenth Century portrait of a member of one of Albany, N.Y.’s founding families — the Van Rensselaers.

On Wednesday, May 7, at 5:30 pm, during the 2008 Judith M Lenett Memorial Lecture “Framing Colonial Albany,” Alcauskas will reveal what she uncovered working on the project. The free lecture will take place at the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute.

“Framing Colonial Albany,” an exhibition of three works from the Albany Institute of History and Art on view at the Clark, highlights the findings of a yearlong conservation project exploring itinerant painter Thomas McIlworth, his painting “Jeremias Van Rensselaer,” and its elaborate frame.

In addition to showcasing the conservation efforts, this project uncovers curious similarities with the frame belonging to a Thomas Gainsborough work, and the international connection of a Scottish artist painting members of a prominent Dutch family on British canvas in colonial America. “Framing Colonial Albany” is on view through July 6.

For information, 413-458-2303 or www.clarkart.edu.