Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5
Page 6
Page 7
Page 8
Page 9
Page 10
Page 11
Page 12
Page 13
Page 14
Page 15
Page 16
Page 17
Page 18
10NEHUNDREDYEARSAGOin1913thenotedcollectorCharlesLangFreermadegitsotherstAsianartworkstoenterthecollectionotheSmithCollegeMuseumoArtSCMA.ThispublicationandtheexhibitionitaccompaniescommemoratesthiscentennialanniversarybyhighlightingtheMuseumsholdingsinAsianartandexaminingtheinstitutionshistoryocollectinginthisarea.ItalsoannouncesSCMAsrenewedcommitmenttodevelopingitscollectionoAsianartrecognizingSmithCollegesincreasinglyinternationalscopeanditsgrowingstrengthinAsianstudies.ThecollectionoAsianartthathastakenshapeoverthepastcenturyrefectstheevolvingaspirationsorSmithsmuseumaswellastheengagementotheCollegeanditsalumnaeandriendswithAsiasdiversecountriesandtheirrichculturesandhistory.BuiltlargelythroughgitsitisinmanywaysacollectionocollectionstellingthestoriesothepassionandexperienceonumerouscollectorsandtheircommitmenttoprovidingSmithstudentswiththeopportunitytostudyandlearndirectlyromoriginalworksoart.FreersgitscameataormativemomentinthedevelopmentoSCMA.TheambitiontocreateanartcollectiontosupportthestudyoboththehistoryandpracticeoartwasrootedintheoundingvisionorSmithCollegeandwasactivelypursuedromitsopeninginthe1870s.ProessorandpainterDwightTryonplayedadeningroleinthedevelopmentothecollectionduringhisthirtysevenyeartenurewhichbeganin1886.EarlycollectingocusedoncontemporaryAmericanartistswithTryonguidingtheacquisitionoworksbyThomasWilmerDewingAbbottHandersonThayerandJamesMcNeillWhistleramongothersbutitalsorefectedcontemporaryaestheticinfuencesnotablythepervasiveinterestinorientalartamongartistsdesignersandcollectorsinthelatenineteenthandearlytwentiethcenturies.1TryonsriendandpatronCharlesLangFreerprovidedtheopportunityorOINTRODUCTIONACenuryofColecigArtofAsiaJESSICANICOLL