Kyle H.
Yelp
I had been in the city less than 12 hours and read one of the street placards which talked about Amon Carter, businessman, philanthropist, coiner of the phrase "Fort Worth: Where the West Begins!". You see his name everywhere and it's also a major street name. Apparently his name is not common knowledge to all Ft. Worthians, as my hotel receptionist scowled that I thought this museum was "fun" and didn't know a lick about Carter. For shame. I imagine Carter was kind of like the parody of the rich Texas Oilman on the Simpsons, clicking his heels up and shooting his guns! But I digress...
Being philanthropically minded, Amon Carter realized that he had the ability to afford art, and near the end of his life he actually ramped up his collecting to leave behind a greater legacy. The Carter houses works by the early nineteenth-century artist-explorers through those of the mid-twentieth-century modernists and up to the work of contemporary photographers. The museum also holds one of the most comprehensive collections of Western art by Frederic Remington and Charles Russell.
First off, I headed straight for the reason I came to the Carter instead of the other two major art museums nearby: the photography exhibit of Chicagoan Barbara Crane, entitled "Challenging vision". This was curated by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and word on the street is that it's heading to Chicago after Ft. Worth! This was an incredible career-encompassing retrospective by a photographer that started as an art student in Chicago in the 60's and has done it all: Chicago buildings, surprise people shots, arty nudes, Minimalism, nature, hyper-colored digital. This was an incredible experience and I'm going to head over to the Chicago Cultural Center to purchase the book, which weighed twenty pounds!
The Amon Carter also has a huge photography collection. Running right now is The World of Alfred Stieglitz. It was great to see two rooms full of prints by students of Stieglitz's and also photographers he influenced. I enjoyed the f/64 group, of which Edward Weston and Imogen Cunningham were stand outs.
The art of Remington and Russell dominate the Museum. I've been known to stay too long in the one tiny room devoted to American Western art in the Art Institute of Chicago. So I was completely engrossed in the paintings of American Indians hunting, cowboys scuffling, horses running, and sculptures of the same. I felt Russell was the master painter and Remington the sculptor, but appreciated both. Your appreciation can be enhanced by a visit to the study area on these two gentlemen.
Photographs of certain areas are allowed, but you'll need to read their policy, sign in, and get a sticker. It's a shame I can't share more photographs of their collection, but their policy strictly forbids website posting. (Okay, I posted one photo of art work.)
And all of this is always FREE! Yes, free, people! Wow, a world-class collection you can walk in and see anytime without spending a dime? I think Amon Carter is kicking his heels up and shooting off six shooters in his grave. Yee-Haw for Art!