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Treasures from the Fitzwilliam Museum: The Increase of Learning and Other Great Objects

March 19 – June 18, 1989
East Building, Upper Level and Mezzanine, Northeast

Installation view of Treasures from the Fitzwilliam Museum: The Increase of Learning and Other Great Objects, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., Gallery Archives

This exhibition is no longer on view at the National Gallery.

Overview: 47 drawings, watercolors, and miniatures, 34 paintings, 23 porcelains, 21 coins and medals, 19 sculptures, 10 works of decorative art, and 8 manuscripts, all dating from the 12th century B.C. to 1919, came from the Fitzwilliam Museum at the University of Cambridge, England. The exhibition explored the encyclopedic approach to museum collecting and the influential role of such an institution in a university community.

Organization: Fitzwilliam Museum director Michael Jaffé organized the exhibition. Sydney J. Freedberg, chief curator, and Beverly Louise Brown, guest curator of southern baroque painting, were the coordinators at the National Gallery. Gaillard Ravenel and Mark Leithauser designed the exhibition, and Gordon Anson designed the lighting.

Sponsor: Philip Morris Companies, Inc., supported the exhibition, with additional support by British Telecom Inc.

Attendance: 185,020

Catalog: Treasures from the Fitzwilliam: "The Increase of Learning and Other Great Objects of that Noble Foundation." Cambridge: The Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge, 1989.

Brochure: Treasures from the Fitzwilliam Museum: The Increase of Learning and Other Great Objects, by Beverly Louise Brown. Washington, DC: National Gallery of Art, 1989.

Other Venues: Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth, July 15–October 15, 1989
National Academy of Design, New York, November 15, 1989–January 28, 1990
High Museum of Art, Atlanta, February 20–May 6, 1990
Los Angeles County Museum of Art, June 21–September 9, 1990