Hotel Texas : an art exhibition for the President and Mrs. John F. Kennedy / essays by Olivier Meslay, Scott Grant Barker, David M. Lubin, and Alexander Nemerov ; chronology by Nicola Longford.
Issued in connection with an exhibition held at the Dallas Museum of Art, May 26-September 15, 2013, and at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art, Fort Worth, October 12, 2013-January 12, 2014. Includes bibliographical references and index.
Contents:
Foreword / Maxwell L. Anderson and Andrew J. Walker -- "Art is not a form of propaganda; it is a form of truth" / Olivier Meslay -- Plates -- The unplanned farewell: an art exhibition for the President and Mrs. John F. Kennedy / Scott Grant Barker -- Oil on canvas: Texas art collectors and the President's visit to Fort Worth, November 1963 / David M. Lubin -- Swimming: Thomas Eakins, JFK, and November 22, 1963 / Alexander Nemerov -- Chronology: President John F. Kennedy's visit to Fort Worth and Dallas, November 21-22, 1963 / Nicola Longford -- Checklist of the exhibition.
Summary:
"The events associated with John F. Kennedy's death are etched into our nation's memory. This fascinating book tells a less familiar part of the story, about a special art exhibition organized by a group of Fort Worth citizens. On November 21, 1963, the Kennedys arrived in Fort Worth around midnight, making their way to Suite 850 of the Hotel Texas. There, installed in their honor, was an intimate exhibition that included works by Monet, Van Gogh, Marin, Eakins, Feininger, and Picasso. Due to the late hour, it was not until the following morning that the couple viewed the exhibition and phoned one of the principal organizers, Ruth Carter Johnson, to offer thanks. Mrs. Kennedy indicated that she wished she could stay longer to admire the beautiful works. The couple was due to depart for Dallas, and the rest is history. This volume reunites the works in this exhibition for the first time and features some previously unpublished images of the hotel room. Essays examine this exhibition from several angles: anecdotal, analytical, cultural, and historical, and include discussions of what the local citizens wished to convey to their distinguished viewers"-- Provided by publisher.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.