Monmouth College Hewes Library galleries

Gallery 203: the permanent collection

Monmouth College is the proud caretaker of a distinguished collection of art and antiquities. Our Permanent Collection includes bequests of works of antiquity from the personal collection of James Christie Shields (class of 1949), traditional woodblock prints from Takashi Komatsu (class of 1910), works of printmaking from the Carnegie Print Collection, contemporary Japanese prints and paintings from Dorothy and James Schramm, and artwork primarily of the Pacific from W. Stewart Riley (class of 1945). Selected works from the Permanent Collection are put on display in Gallery 203 as well as in several display cases throughout Hewes Library.

Monmouth College has produced a full-color pamphlet detailing the Permanent Collection. Click here to view a .pdf version of this pamphlet (2.54 mb). For additional information, please contact Prof. Mary Phillips, Curator of the College Art Collections, at x2225 or phillips@monm.edu.

James Christie Shields, Class of 1949

It is with great sadness that the Monmouth College community learned of the recent passing of Mr. James Christie Shields, proud alumnus of the MC Class of 1949, and generous benefactor. Mr. Shields bequeathed to us over 750 exquisite works of art and antiquities resulting in an impressive collection. Earlier this year we received the last of his most treasured artifacts, culled from a lifelong passion of collecting. A renowned educator and collector, Mr. Shields will be sorely missed. His full obituary can be viewed online in the New York Times.

Currently on exhibit in Gallery 203

  • Christian Icons: Amongst the exquisite works recently bequeathed to Monmouth College from Mr. James Christie Shields (MC Class of 1949) is an impressive collection of Egyptian Orthodox icons. These works, all oil paint on leather in various sizes, depict scenes from the life of Christ as well as various Christian saints. Most, if not all, of these icons, are from the Holy Monastery of St. Catherine, at the foot of Mt. Sinai, where they escaped destruction during the Iconoclastic Controversy.
  • Around the World in (less than) 80 Fonts: In this exhibit examples of exquisite calligraphy of various cultures and eras from our Permanent Collections are featured. Throughout the semester additional artifacts will be included in the exhibit, representing many different alphabets and media.
  • The Goddess Isis: Three distinct depictions of the Egyptian goddess, Isis, are highlighted in Gallery 203. These works have not been on exhibit for quite some time and include a large coffin panel, a small bronze depicting the mother goddess, Isis, suckling the infant Horus, and a small wooden sculpture of the goddess seated. Other Egyptian artifacts are located in a nearby display case.

Currently on exhibit in the Upper Level Lobby Area

  • Standing Buddha: An impressive inclusion in the recent bequest by James Shields is an 18th-Century Cambodian Buddha. This statuesque figure is made of hardwood with a rubbed cinnabar finish. Contrast this figure with the seated Buddha in the Hewes Library lobby display case. It is from China and dates from the early Ming Dynasty (14th – 15th Centuries, C.E.). The exhibit is displayed in the case at the top of the stairs.
  • Located just outside the entrance to the Monmuoth College Archives, is an exhibition featuring a sampler of antiquities from Ancient Egypt and Sumeria, including a stunning cuneiform tablet. The display features objects from the James Christie Shields Collection.

Currently on exhibit in the Main Level Lobby Area

  • Shields' Most Treasured Artifacts: Ancient China, Greece, and Rome: Now on exhibit in the Hewes Library lobby are several recent acquisitions to our James Christie Shields Collection. Representing his most treasured artifacts, this recent gift from Mr. Shields (MC Class of 1949) contains some particularly exquisite works. Included in this display are two works from China, Jing Guan Scholar's Rock and Seated Buddha, one from Ancient Greece, Athena, and two from Ancient Rome, Torso of a Youth and Head of a Woman.

    Any questions or wishes for further information may be forwarded to Mary Phillips, Curator of College Art Collections, ext. 2225.

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lj 10-16-09