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“Masterpieces of the Valley is a rare opportunity to see some of the art treasures housed in Fox Valley collections, many of which are not often on public view,” says Laura Fiser, curator of collections and exhibitions at the Paine.

George Inness (American, 1825-1894) The Approaching Storm, 1873 Oil on canvas 29 3/8 x 44 ¼ inches Courtesy of the Oshkosh Public Museum, Oshkosh, Wisconsin OPM# 2047-31

Other contributors to the exhibit, which is being sponsored by Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company, include the Oshkosh Public Museum, the Oshkosh Public Library and Lawrence University.

“We are particularly excited to highlight a few rarely seen gems, including the Wriston Art Center Galleries’ extraordinary painting ‘Two Sisters’ by French academic painter [William-Adolphe] Bouguereau and the Oshkosh Public Museum’s dramatic landscape ‘The Approaching Storm’ by American master George Inness,” Fiser says. “These works will be joined by a beautiful, large-scale landscape painting originally exhibited at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago and now housed at the Oshkosh Public Library.”

William-Adolphe Bouguereau (French, 1825-1905) Two Sisters, 1901 Oil on canvas 43 x 31 ½ inches Courtesy of Wriston Art Center Galleries, Lawrence University

From the Paine’s personal collection, several of their finest paintings that haven’t been exhibited in recent years will be featured. This includes two works by Jean-Francois Millet and George Inness, which have recently undergone conservation treatment.

“With a few dozen exceptional artworks on view, we look forward to hearing from our visitors about their favorites,” Fiser says.

In the Main Gallery, dramatic “salon-style” installations will show visitors how art exhibits might have been installed and experienced during the mid-19th and early 20th centuries. Fiser says salon-style exhibitions are floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall installations with paintings hung very close together.

Jules Breton (French, 1827-1906) Evening in the Hamlet of Finistère, 1882 Oil on canvas 36 3/4 x 52 inches Collection of the Paine Art Center and Gardens

During the first two weekends of March, the exhibition will provide inspiration and an elegant backdrop for the Paine’s 2018 “Rooms of Blooms” floral show, featuring over 100 artistic, fresh floral creations by designers in the region. Masterpieces of the Valley runs through May 27.

Visit thepaine.org for more information.