Toledo, Ohio—On Saturday, February 2, 2008, the Toledo Museum of Art (TMA) opens the
enlightening and entertaining new exhibition Mummies to Monet: The Libbeys Collect. This
special exhibition focuses on one of the Museum’s earliest decades—1906 to 1916—during
which founders Edward Drummond Libbey and Florence Scott Libbey donated from their own
collection, as well as sought works of art and artifacts specifically for TMA. Mummies to Monet
invites visitors to discover the travels and tales that surrounded the early days of the Museum’s now world-renowned collection. Admission to both the Museum and the exhibition is free to the public.
Mummies to Monet: The Libbeys Collect examines four facets of the Museum’s early years: its
founding, early collecting, growth and expansion, and preparation for the future. Works of art
and interactive elements chronicle these initial chapters of TMA’s story and bring history to life.
Founding the Museum: Meet the Libbeys
In 1888, Edward Drummond Libbey moved his New England Glass Company from East
Cambridge, Mass., to Toledo and renamed it the Libbey Glass Company. Soon after, he
married Florence Scott, a well-educated woman from a prominent Toledo family. Their
alliance would bring prosperity to the city, both in business and in culture.
The Libbeys believed in the value of education and art for the community. When the Tile
Club, an association of local artists, approached Mr. Libbey in 1901 with the idea of founding an art museum, Libbey enthusiastically lent his support. He was elected the first
president of the Board of Trustees, and he and Mrs. Libbey guided the direction of the
Museum until his death in 1925.
Collecting for the Museum Begins: Egyptian Odyssey
When the Toledo Museum of Art opened in 1901, it was primarily a venue for loaned
exhibitions. But in 1906 the Libbeys traveled to Egypt and acquired more than 200
archaeological artifacts, two mummies, and two cartonnages (mummy cases) for the
Museum. Installed in late 1906 in the Museum’s original location on Madison Avenue, the
Egyptian Galleries became an instant hit with the public. This journey set the foundation
for TMA’s collection. In their subsequent travels around the world, the Libbeys continued
to seek works of art to acquire for the Museum.
Expanding the Collection: Filling a New Building
By 1907, the popularity of the Museum’s classes and the growing collection made it
apparent that the Madison Avenue building was no longer sufficient. It was then that
planning began for the Greek Revival building on Monroe Street that would become a
beloved regional landmark.
To prepare for the 1912 opening of the new building, the Libbeys acquired a wide range of
objects to fill the galleries, from Japanese sword fittings to textiles to paintings and prints
by Old Master and contemporary artists. As a glass industrialist, Mr. Libbey had a
particular interest in works of glass art, while Mrs. Libbey concentrated on European
ceramics. The Libbeys donated nearly 1,400 objects to the Museum in 1912, establishing
the encyclopedic nature of TMA’s collection.
From Art to Endowment: The Gift that Keeps Giving
Mr. Libbey established an endowment for the Museum, ensuring that his efforts toward
collecting and building would continue. Mrs. Libbey, too, provided for the future of the
Museum’s collection by giving her life interest in her husband’s estate and by establishing
a bequest in memory of her father. These gifts are noted in the Museum’s galleries on the
labels of works of art acquired through these endowments. These generous bequests continue to allow us to acquire great works of art to enhance our world-renowned
collection that now holds more than 30,000 works of art.
EXHIBITION-RELATED PROGRAMS
Friday, February 1
Members-Only Evening & Tours | Canaday Gallery | 6–10 P.M.
Museum members get the exclusive first look at this exciting new exhibition. Two special
members-only tours meet in Libbey Court at 6:30 and 7:30 P.M.
The Search & the Success: Acquisition Stories
7:30 P.M. | Libbey Court
In 2006 the Museum acquired two exquisite paintings by Jean-Siméon Chardin. Join
Lawrence W. Nichols, William Hutton Curator of European and American painting before
1900, to learn how these pristine pictures made their way to TMA.
Sunday, February 3
Hands-on: Magical Amulets | 1–4 P.M. | Libbey Court
Recreate one of the Egyptian amulets that the Libbeys collected on their travels to Egypt.
Friday, February 8
Presentation: Daily Magic in Ancient Egypt—Amulets & Spells | 7 P.M. | Little Theater
The Archaeological Institute of America–Toledo Society presents Dr. Regine Schulz,
curator of ancient art at the Walters Art Museum, who shares how magic factored into
ancient Egyptian life.
The Search & the Success: Acquisition Stories | 8:30 P.M. | Libbey Court
Join associate curator of ancient art Sandra Knudsen as she highlights the amulets that the
Libbeys acquired on their trips to Egypt to expand the Museum’s collection.
Friday, February 15
The Search & the Success: Acquisition Stories | 7:30 P.M. | Libbey Court
Hear the story of an acquisition that “almost got away.” Carolyn Putney, curator of Asian art,
enlightens you about our Gandharan Buddha and our Ladies of the Court.
Sunday, February 17
Hands-on: Postcards from Abroad | 1–4 P.M. | Libbey Court
While traveling abroad to collect for the Museum, the Libbeys sent postcards to friends
and family. Use watercolors to create your own postcard, using the TMA collection as
inspiration.
Presentation: The Libbeys Chat | 2–5 P.M. | Canaday Gallery
What did Edward Drummond and Florence Scott Libbey think about their early collecting?
You can ask them! “Ed” and “Flo” engage you in dialogue about their thoughts and
motivations that might have been.
Friday, February 22
The Search & the Success: Acquisition Stories | 7:30 P.M. | Libbey Court
Amy Gilman, associate curator of modern and contemporary art, discusses our Guest
Artist Pavilion Project (GAPP), and the process of collecting works by living artists.
Afterward, meet our newest GAPP participant, contemporary artist Radcliffe Bailey.
Friday, February 29
The Search & the Success: Acquisition Stories | 7:30 P.M. | Libbey Court
How have fragile glass objects survived the centuries to join TMA’s collection? Curator
of glass Jutta-Annette Page relates stories of major works of glass, from various countries
and historical periods.
Sunday, March 2
Presentation: The Libbeys Listen, Part I | 3 P.M. | Great Gallery
Explore music and culture from the time of the Libbeys. Susan Palmer, head of Docent
education, shares commentary and visuals to enhance performances by Joan Layne,
Diane McEwen Martin, John Hopkins, Brian Pfaltzgraff, Jeffrey Wisniewski, Timothy
Bruno, Kevin Bylsma, and the Masterworks Chorale.
Sunday, March 9
Hands-on: What Does Your Mummy Look Like? | 1–4 P.M. | Libbey Court
The Libbeys acquired our mummies on their travels to Egypt. Create your
version of a mummy and its cartonnage, or case.
Friday, March 14
Hands-on: Hieroglyphics—the Secret Language | 7–9 P.M. | Libbey Court
Discover the ancient Egyptian writing of hieroglyphics, and use the symbols to write your
name on authentic papyrus.
Sunday, March 16
Presentation: The Libbeys Chat | 2–5 P.M. | Canaday Gallery
What did Edward Drummond and Florence Scott Libbey think about their early collecting?
You can ask them! “Ed” and “Flo” engage you in dialogue about their thoughts and
motivations that might have been.
Friday, March 21
Collector Chat: The Art of Collecting Glass | 7:30 P.M. | GlasSalon
How do you begin a collection without breaking the bank? Old West End residents Lila
and T.J. Sohnly share the story of how they began their collection of works by local
artists, and how you can start one of your own.
Friday, April 4
Hands-on: Postcards from Abroad | 7–9 P.M. | Libbey Court
While traveling abroad to collect for the Museum, the Libbeys sent postcards to friends
and family. Use watercolors to create your own postcard, using the TMA collection as
inspiration.
Presentation: The Libbeys Chat | 7–10 P.M. | Canaday Gallery
What did Edward Drummond and Florence Scott Libbey think about their early collecting?
You can ask them! “Ed” and “Flo” engage you in dialogue about their thoughts and
motivations that might have been.
Sunday, April 6
Presentation: The Libbeys Listen, Part II | 2 P.M. | Great Gallery
The Maumee Community Band recreates an early 20th-century concert, as staged by the
John Philip Sousa Band. To appeal to audiences of his time, Sousa mixed classical and
contemporary musical selections, just as the Libbeys did with their collecting.
The public programs for Mummies to Monet: The Libbeys Collect have been funded by the Landman-Goldman Foundation in memory of Kurt T. Luckner and by Doreen Canaday Spitzer, who would like future generations alsoto cherish this Museum.
PUBLIC TOURS
Mummies to Monet: The Libbeys Collect is free to the public and is on view in TMA’s Canaday
Gallery. Free Docent-led tours of the exhibition are scheduled as follows:
Saturday, February 2, 2 P.M.
Sunday, February 3, 2 & 3 P.M.
Friday, February 15, 6:30 & 7:30 P.M.
Saturday, February 16, 2 P.M.
Sunday, February 17, 2 & 3 P.M.
Friday, February 29, 6:30 & 7:30 P.M.
Saturday, March 1, 2 P.M.
Sunday, March 2, 2 & 3 P.M.
Friday, March 14, 6:30 & 7:30 P.M.
Saturday, March 15, 2 P.M.
Sunday, March 16, 2 & 3 P.M.
Friday, April 4, 6:30 & 7:30 P.M.
Saturday, April 5, 2 P.M.
Sunday, April 6, 2 & 3 P.M.
Schedule is subject to change. All tours meet in Libbey Court. For additional dates, please visit www.toledomuseum.org.
- Toledo Museum of Art | Toledo, OH
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