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Casa Popenoe
Casa Popenoe
Casa Popenoe

Casa Popenoe

Object NamePainting
Artist / Maker (American, 1903 - 1993)
Datec. 1980s
MediumWatercolor
Dimensions20 1/2 x 24 1/4 in. (52.1 x 61.6 cm)
ClassificationsPaintings
Credit LineGift of Marjorie S. Garfield. In the permanent collection, Brunnier Art Museum, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.
Object numberUM83.182
Status
Not on view
Label TextMarjorie Garfield was an artist and arts administrator. A native of Boston, she received her BFA and MFA degrees from Syracuse University, where she was head and professor of interior design for many years. She was chair of the applied art department, Iowa State from 1948 until 1969 when she retired. During her tenure she was instrumental in commissioning from Grant Wood and other Iowa artists for Iowa State. Her efforts eventually provided the foundations for what is now called the Art on Campus Collection. Garfield first visited Guatemala during the summer of 1937, intending to spend a few weeks sketching and painting. During this vacation, she became intrigued with Guatemalan architecture and furniture of the colonial period (1523-1824). She then decided to undertake the task of documenting through photographs, watercolors, drawings and paintings the Guatemala interiors and architecture that remained after 300 years of Spanish colonial rule, a task she pursued for the next 10 years. Garfield's work in Guatemala was primary an endeavor to document the colonial period before earthquakes, volcanoes, insects, humidity and war completely destroyed what had been built. Her research presents a case study of an attempt to recreate a European community in the New World. In the permanent collection the Brunnier Art Museum owns Garfield's watercolors of this project, and Special Collections, Parks Library has her photographic documentation. Casa Popenoe in Antigua, Guatemala stands as one of the great houses of Spanish-Colonial occupation. Built more than three hundred years ago, it interiors and furnishing reflect the sprit (sic) of Andalusia, and its Moorish feeling pervades the architectural and interior character. Early records of 1639 indicate the house belonged to the King's attorney. In 1930 Dr. and Mrs. Wilson Popenoe who undertook extensive restoration purchased the house. Marjorie Garfield, a frequent guest at Casa Popenoe during her trips to Guatemala, was greatly encouraged by the Popenoes to undertake the task of documenting colonial Guatemala. Garfield was also a prolific landscape painter, and within the Ames community there are many seascapes, mountain vistas, urban and rural landscapes which she created.
SignedSigned lower right hand corner in red, Marjorie S. Garfield.
Locations
  • (not entered)  Iowa State University, Brunnier Main Storage
Untitled [Casa Popenoe]
Object Name: Painting
Marjorie S. Garfield
1980s
Object number: UM83.191
Object Name: Painting
Marjorie S. Garfield
1980s
Object number: UM83.189
Casa de los Liones, Antigua
Object Name: Painting
Marjorie S. Garfield
c. 1980
Object number: UM83.183
Hotel Wales
Object Name: Painting
Robert Bauer
1985
Object number: um91.70
Mayan Inn Chichicastenango
Object Name: Painting
Marjorie S. Garfield
c. 1980s
Object number: UM83.188
The Death of the Virgin
Object Name: Engraving
Rembrandt Von Rijn
1639
Object number: U83.70
Casa Popenoe, Antigua
Object Name: Drawing
Marjorie S. Garfield
Object number: UM83.190
Bed Warmer
Object Name: Bed Warmer
Object number: UM2023.195ab
Untitled
Object Name: Painting
Marjorie S. Garfield
c. 1980s
Object number: UM83.184
Tie rack
Object Name: Tie rack
Object number: 85.13.20
Footed Beaker
Object Name: Footed Beaker
1760
Object number: 3.6.17