Florence Griswold Museum: The Exhibits

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A black, white, and dark blue striped header image with the text Florence Griswold Museum: The Exhibits

A few weeks ago, I went on adventure to the Mystic / Lyme area of Connecticut. One of my stops was Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme, CT. This is the third of three posts about the experience. After discussing the house and the grounds, I move inside to the exhibits at Krieble Gallery. The exhibits held during my visit were “Impressionism 150: From to Paris to Connecticut & Beyond”, “From Art Colony to Connecticut Collection: Highlights from the Florence Griswold Museum”, and “At First Glance: Highlights from the Westerly Museum of American Impressionism”.

Modern building with white gabled roofs, metal paneling, and surrounding greenery. A purple, white, and yellow sign reading Flo Gris Museum A large, two-story white building with a covered veranda and metal roof, set on a grassy lawn with several people sitting outside.

The bright white Robert and Nancy Krieble Gallery opened in 2002 and was designed by Centerbrook Architects. They also built the Thompson Exhibition Building at nearby Mystic Seaport Museum, the soon-opening Westerly Museum of American Impressionism in Westerly, RI; and parts of New England Botanical Garden at Tower Hill in Worcester, MA, among many others. The Gallery contains a gift shop, a seating area to watch an introductory video, several exhibition spaces, and a cafe. I liked the expansive porches at the back of the building, which give visitors a peek of the nearby Lieutenant River.

Sign for Impressionism 150: From to Paris to Connecticut & Beyond White text on a red background White text on a gray background

Inside the exhibit areas were a surprisingly wide range of artifacts and art. Some pieces came from the colony, such as a box of Winsor & Newton paints with oils still left in the tubes. The London-based art company has sold supplies since 1832 and have held a Royal Warrant, or endorsement from the current King or Queen of England, since 1841. As for paintings made with these supplies, my favorite from Lyme Art Colony was The Village Church by Everett L. Warner. His contemporary was Charles Ethan Porter who focused on still lifes, especially flowers and fruits. Porter face discrimination as an African American artist, but he still found great success due to his talent. Lilian Westcott Hale, who painted Agnes and Her Cat, also faced discrimination as a female artist yet won multiple prizes for her work. The model, Agnes Doggett, earned twenty-five cents per session and insisted on remaining clothed.

A wooden box of Winsor & Newton paints with oils still left in the tubes A lethargic young woman with a cat in her lap Colorful, abstract cotton pickers made from dyed and carved leather

The galleries also featured the work of modern artists, often with a political message. Cotton Pickers, by Winfred Rembert, was created from dyed and carved leather. Rembert was unfairly imprisoned for nine years from 1965 to 1974 due to his work in the American Civil Rights movement. He created his work both as therapy and to record life in the South. The sculpture New England Cabinet of Marine Debris (Lyme Art Colony) was constructed by local artist Mark Dion in 2019 using objects found during an archaeological dig and junk pulled out of the Lieutenant River. Even the benches were works of art created from natural wood.

Two equality sized oil paintings from the 1830s, with a husband on the left and a wife on the right. Still life oil painting of chrysanthemums Impressionist style oil painting of a classic white New England church

The sneak peek exhibit at the back of the building showed paintings to be featured in the Westerly Museum of American Impressionism. My favorite paintings in this section included Chrysanthemums by William Glackens and Reflection Series, Brown Fish Houses and Boats by Anthony Thieme. This exhibit will close on September 15, but the new museum apparently has no timeline for when it will open.

Wooden bench in an art gallery An impressionist style painting of yellow and purple flowers in a vase An impressionist style New England dock

Florence Griswold Museum is currently open Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is $15 for adults, $14 for seniors 62 and older, $13 for students 13 and older, $5 for children ages 5 to 12, and $0 for children under 5, library pass holders, New England Museum Association (NEMA) members, EBT card holders, and active duty military, veterans, and their families. Krieble Gallery was fully accessible for those with limited mobility or using a wheelchair. Plus, the space provides plenty of seating. The regular exhibition space was well-lit, but the gift shop and back rooms had poor lighting.