popularity - team work - Alden Galleries - Art Institute

The Alden Galleries brought popularity back to Kansas City. People were talking about etchings that once only New Yorkers had been privileged to see. Homes were opening up to Levon West, Albrecht Durer, Daumier, Frank Brangwyn, James McNeil Whistler, Samuel Palmer, Margaret Kirmse, Anders Zorn, Charles Meryon, Joseph Pennell, Piransi, and Francesco Goya. No longer were exquisite works restricted to the Eastern galleries alone. The popularity of one such exhibition was a case in point. It was the largest number of people....ever gathered together at one time in Kansas City.....to view a one man art exhibition...Over two thousand people thronged to see the etchings, water colors, and oils by Frank W. Benson at the Art Institute. The Alden Galleries played a big part in bringing the best works to the city.

Bender pointed out in his Fine Prints publication that the teamwork of a few helped make the event successful for many. Mr. Holland of the Art Institute gave of his time, Mrs. M.K. Powell of the Kansas City Star gave wise counsel, and Mrs. Charles M. Bush provided music between film showings.

At every opportunity Bender made his audience curious. Were you one of those who saw the film of Mr. Benson making an etching? You will be interested to know that we have "one of his original copper plates." All you will have to do...in order to complete your knowledge of the process of etching...will be to come in...and examine "the actual plate." You will want to do this, while the picture is still fresh in your mind!!  (What a tease.)

(Fine Prints, February 1932, Vol.1, No. 3, pp. 4-8, courtesy of Missouri Valley Special Collections, Kansas City Public Library, 14 West 10th St, Kansas City, MO, accessed December 4, 2010. Egon & Joan Teichert Fine Prints, http://www.eteichertfineprints.com/searchartist.php?inartist=Frank W. Benson, accessed December 29, 2010.) 

passing on curiousity - john bender

John Bender was a connoisseur like Alfred Fowler. "One who understands the details, technique, or principles of an art and is competent to act as a critical judge."  As such, he gained much pleasure from learning how an etching or an engraving was created, what kind of metal plate was used, how the ink was prepared, the type of papers used for printing, and the different impressions that could be made from the same plate. He acquired reference books. Some of which were difficult to find. His library had a number of out-of-print volumes.

 

Bender was curious and more than eager to pass on this contagious attribute to ordinary folks like you and I. Through small booklets you could hold in your hand, 4 3/4 by 6 inches, you were given access to an exciting world. 

From 1931 to 1936, Bender made it his quest to entertain and spread curiosity through his monthly volume called Fine Prints. Double click on text sections to see it larger.

For more on Levon West, click HERE.

On occasion Bender used humor.

 

(definition on connoisseur, www.Merriam-Webster.com, accessed December 23, 2010. Fine Prints, December 1931, pg 2-6, February 1932, pg.22, courtesy of Missouri Valley Special Collections, Kansas City Public Library, 14 West 10th St, Kansas City, MO, accessed December 4, 2010. Private Holdings, http://privatelibraryholdings.com/id84.html, accessed November 19, 2010. C.A. Seward, 1884 - 1939, http://www.casewardprintmaker.com/artists_letters/Levon_West_lttrs_2_2_2.html, accessed December 26, 2010)