-The first photo, from 1920, shows the second transformation of the 2nd floor east gallery at the Worcester Art Museum. Textiles, vases and Japanese screens decorate the space. In an effort to block out the light, the three arched windows in the rear of the gallery were covered. Strangely enough, in the room's use as the Library today, these same three windows are the only original openings in the 1897 building that let in natural light.
-The second "Then and Now" composition contrasts the lower third floor American Galleries in 1993 and at present, 21 years later. In the earlier photo, there was much more artwork on display in the space, with some walls showcasing paintings in the Salon style.
-The third comparison shows the European Galleries before and after the most recent renovation of the space. One of the more dramatic changes was the addition of door caps above the lintels.
-Freelance artwork and commissions have been keeping me very busy. One recent project involved creating this portrait sketch of Robert K. Wittman, retired FBI Special Agent and founder of the FBI Art Crime Team. This portrait will soon be on it's way to the Wittman family in Philadelphia. A famous art theft detective, Bob Wittman searched the World as an undercover agent from 1988-2008. He recovered stolen masterpieces by Rembrandt, Goya, Rodin, Norman Rockwell and cultural property including Pre-Columbian artifacts and a copy of the Bill of Rights. Today, Bob works in the private sector, managing his own Art Recovery and Security Consulting company. His 2010 memoir, "Priceless: How I Went Undercover to Rescue the World's Stolen Treasures" is excellent and well worth the time. In 2009, Bob was a guest speaker at the Worcester Art Museum Salisbury Society Gala at Tuckerman Hall. A video clip of that speech, featuring Jim Welu and works in the WAM collection, is shown on Mr. Wittman's website here:
www.robertwittmaninc.com
