From the Vault
In September, an important part of the Georgetown University Art Collection truly did emerge "From The Vault," as three presidential portraits were added to the reception room outside of Riggs Library.
Facilities specialists George Hammer and Michael Hickman put Gerard J. Campbell S.J. in place, with W. Coleman Nevils, S.J. next.
Readers may be familiar with this area, known either as the "Blue Room" (from its décor) or the "Presidents' Gallery" (from the paintings)--the holiday party, and other receptions, have been held there for many years. Following recent decorative renovations, the portraits of W. Coleman Nevils, S.J.; Lawrence C. Gorman, S.J.; and J. Hunter Guthrie, S.J., joined those already on view of Gerard J. Campbell, S.J.; Robert J. Henle, S.J.; and Timothy S. Healy, S.J. Signs for the portraits will be added in the near future.
The portrait of Father Nevils (1878-1955; served 1928-35) was painted by Madame Ferdinand Veverka, wife of the Minister of Czechoslovakia. Madame Veverka studied with the well-known Czech artist Vojzeck Hymais; her painting of Father Nevils was reported by The Hoya to be "a superb work in delineation and character" when it was displayed at a University luncheon honoring her husband in 1932.
Father Gorman (1898-1952; served 1942-49) was painted by Boleslaw Jan Czedekowski (1885-1969), a Polish artist whose other distinguished subjects include the painting of General George S. Patton, Jr., in the National Portrait Gallery.
View of the west wall of the Presidents' Gallery, showing (from left) the portraits of Henle, Gorman, and Guthrie.
Margaret Lewis, who completed the mural of John Carroll on the intermediate landing of the north stairs in Healy Hall, painted the portrait of Father Guthrie (1901-74; served 1949-52). We are especially pleased to display this work. Missing for nearly two decades after a senior-prank theft, J. Hunter Guthrie, S.J was defaced by a vandal; a professional restoration and cleaning last year left the painting in excellent condition and ready to be admired.
Father Campbell (b. 1919; served 1964-69) had his portrait done by Vienna native Greta Kempton (1903-91). A New York artist who was a friend of several Georgetown presidents, Kempton painted President Truman's official portrait, and was praised by the precursor to the Smithsonian American Art Museum in 1967 as the "world's greatest living portrait artist." The Art Collection has several other Kempton paintings in addition to Gerard J. Campbell, S.J.
Noted Washington portraitist Robert Bruce Williams (b. 1930) painted Father Henle (1909-2000; served 1969-1976). Williams has painted many government officials, dignitaries, and celebrities. His work has been honored by the New York Art Students League.
Timothy S. Healy, S.J. by Alfred Leslie, oil on canvas, 1990, 60 3/4" x 54 3/4"
Father Healy (1923-92; served 1976-89) was captured on canvas by Alfred Leslie (b. 1927), an internationally renowned New York portraitist whose work was described in a Hirshhorn Museum exhibit as "marked by a passionate belief in the importance of recording things seen in the grand and ambitious context of old-master painting and by recent abstract art."
The Georgetown University Art Collection is proud that these fine depictions of six University leaders from the last century can now be shown together in one of the most prestigious rooms on campus. In the future, we hope to hang more of the presidential portraits from the Vault, if restoration funds can be made available.