Those of us who seek out the work of local artists tend to think of Robert Cole Caples as one of our own. His subtle images of Nevada landscapes show such intimacy with their subject they can only have been created by a native son, we like to think.
See for yourself three of his mixed media images of tall, nearly barren desert mountains currently on display in the Sierra Nevada, Great Basin Gallery. These seldom exhibited works, part of the permanent collection of the Nevada Museum of Art, capture the very spirit of our environment, with clear, high-country light playing on the jagged peaks.
Jim McCormick wrote in the Nevada Historical Society Quarterly, Volume 33, summer 1990: “In the 1950’s and 1960’s he created elegant, haunting landscapes that portrayed no place in particular, but were precise distillations of the desert, mountains and dramatic atmospheric effects experienced in the desert. Space is at once telescoped and expanded infinitely. The substance of the mountains and the volume of air are sucked out in favor of the essence of mountains and glowing atmospheric effects.”
Certainly, we assure ourselves, this is the work of a man who spent his lifetime in the intermountain west. Then, of course, we must remind ourselves that Caples was actually a New Yorker, a former student of the National Academy of Design and the Art Students League. He was born in 1908, and never saw Nevada until 1924. And his stay here was interrupted by years of further study in New York and California, service in the Navy during World War II, recuperation from a long illness and finally retirement to Connecticut in 1958. And there he stayed, no longer painting, but devoting years to writing and illustrating a children’s book, “The Potter and his Children.” Published in 1971, it never found an audience. He died in 1979. Surely Caples’ best known works are a series of poignant sketches -- portraits of native Indians, begun in the 1930’s when he was employed by the Federal Arts Project -- that were published by the University of Nevada Press in two limited editions starting in 1972. Many of the originals hang in the president’s office at UNR. The portfolios, “People of the Silent Land: a Portfolio of Nevada Indians,” continue to be avidly sought by collectors.
Visiting the gallery of Great Basin scenery is always a pleasure. If you’re not already familiar with Robert Cole Caples, stop by, spend a little time among his lovely mountains and learn why he’s a favorite among our native sons, expatriate division.
The works of Robert Cole Caples are currently on display in the Sierra Nevada, Great Basin Gallery.
News & Updates
ART + ENVIRONMENT CONFERENCE Begins September 29th through October 1st. Be sure to register early or contact Rosalind for a volunteer’s view of this event.
Second Saturdays are Free. Thanks to the Nightingale Family Foundation, admission to the Museum is FREE every second Saturday throughout 2011.
First Thursday Enjoy a cool beverage 5 to 7 PM while listening to the Whitney Myer Band, August 4th and Max Yasgur’s Band, September 1st. Free valet parking for your bike, courtesy of Reno Bike Project. Admission $10/ Members FREE
Talk and Tasting: Tom Young, Jazz Aldrich, Ancient Egyptian Homebrew and Dr. Church’s Living Room Lager Enjoy an original brew and learn the process of recreating an authentic Egyptian beer in honor of Museum founder, James E. Church. Thursday, August 11th, 6 - 7 PM. $12/ $8 Members. Fee includes one beer, additional beer available for purchase.
Wander through the wilderness one last time. Don’t miss the imagery of Ansel Adams Distance and Detail. Exhibit ends August 14th.
Sunday Jazz Brunch 11 AM to 1 PM, welcomes Dickie Mills Group, Sunday, August 21st. On September 18th, enjoy the music of the Jackie Landrum Trio. Admission is FREE. A la carte brunch menu provided by Café Musée. Brunch menu $5-$15.
Join local bands, Very Pretty Pigeon and Memory Motel rooftop for an Indie Rock Night Thursday, August 18th. 6 - 7:30 PM. Admission is $3.
A Special Exhibition Art, Science and the Arc of Inquiry The Evolution of the Nevada Museum of Art, comprised of archival materials, including photographs, newspaper articles and artworks, from the Museum’s Collection and the University of Nevada, Reno Special Collections. August 27th-29th. FREE with admission fee.
Art Break Bring a friend and peek “behind the scenes” with fellow Museum volunteers Thursday, September 8th. Lecture begins at 5 PM followed by Museum tour.
The Altered Landscape: Photographs of a Changing Environment opens Saturday, September 24th commemorating the Museum’s 80th anniversary of the institution’s signature photography collection examining human interaction and intervention with the environment.
Museum Hours
GALLERY & STORE
Wednesday – Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM
Thursdays 10 AM to 8 PM
Closed Monday, Tuesday and National Holidays
LIBRARY
Wednesday – Sunday 11 AM to 2 PM
1st Thursday 5 to 7 PM
CAFÉ MUSÉE
Wednesday – Sunday 11 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed Monday & Tuesday
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES
Tuesday – Friday 9AM - 5PM
Volunteers Needed
Are you interested in serving on the volunteer board? Have you always wanted to explore being a docent? We are currently looking for help in these areas as well as the Annual Arts and Flowers Luncheon, support for planning volunteer recognition events and administration work. For more information, please contact Rosalind Bedell at rosalind.bedell@nevadaart.org.