Historic artwork on display at UGA

The University of Georgia, just in time for Notre Dame weekend, is hosting an art exhibit, featuring George Cooke's Interior of St Peter's Rome.

From Larry Dendy...

Enjoy a rare opportunity to view at close range an acknowledged 19th century art masterpiece by American artist George Cooke from 3 to 6 pm Friday, September 20, on the University of Georgia campus. Interior of St. Peter's Rome, which is 17 feet high, 23 feet long, and weighs more than a ton,   was described as the largest framed oil painting in the United States when it was exhibited in the 1840s.

George Cooke (1793-1849), an itinerant artist whose paintings have been found in private collections in a dozen states spent much time in Athens. His 1845 painting titled View of Athens from Carr's Hill, is housed in the Rare Books section of the University of Georgia Libraries. Another of his works Tallulah Falls  1841, is part of the permanent collection at UGA's Georgia Museum of Art.

Art patron Daniel Pratt commissioned and owned Interior of St. Peter's Rome. After Cooke's sudden death from illness in New Orleans in 1849, Pratt became executor of the artist's estate. Seeking an appropriate venue to exhibit this large work, and with the support of Cooke's widow, who married an Athenian, Pratt donated the painting to the University of Georgia in 1867 and shipped the painting to Athens. University officials decided to mount the painting on the interior back wall of the 1832 Greek Revival-style University Chapel, and the installation was completed in 1868 and opened for public view.

The painting has been restored twice, in 1936 and 1955, to recover from age and fire damage.

Visitors on Friday, September 20, will be able to walk close to the painting and make photographs. The closest approach will be to enter the University of Georgia through its historic Arch on Broad Street, at the foot of College Avenue. SilverDawg volunteers will greet visitors and direct them along the walkway to the University Chapel.