Exhibit Highlight #1
Divine Providence: Laying the Foundation of Art Culture in Providence, Rhode Island
The 1855 Group
Even given a harsh cultural climate in the United States, history shows us that artists are a stubborn lot and in the 1850′s a young determined group of painters assembled in Providence.
Frederick Batcheller (1835-1899), John Arnold (1834-1907), Marcus Waterman (1834-1914), James Lewin (1836-1896) and Thomas Robinson (1834-1888) witnessed Providence emerging as a prominent urban center in New England. Sailing wooden ships unloading China Trade fineries had been displaced by smoke stacks and cogwheels evidence of the surge of industrialism in American society. Providence, as the nation, was forced to grapple with the upheaval caused by rapid growth. A growing body of concerned citizens started to recognize that “the arts” were an important asset for the state.
This “1855 group” was the earliest in Providence to band together to grow their artistic thoughts and talents. The only exhibit opportunities available to them were in the tents of the “Rhode Island Society for the Encouragement of Domestic Industry” – a local community fair. A selected sampling of The 1855 Group of artists currently on view in Divine “Providence” includes John Arnold, Thomas Robinson and Frederick Batcheller.
August 5, 2010