George Caleb Bingham and The River Paintings: Dee Kilgo\, Ph.D.

About this event

Fur Traders Descending the Missouri, 1845, Metropolitan Museum, New York In the mid-nineteenth century, Missouri artist George Caleb Bingham (1811-1879) earned a national reputation for paintings that defined the American frontier for curious eastern audiences. His images focusing on life along the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers underscored the unique economic significance of these great waterways in America’s western expansion. Today, several of Bingham’s river scenes rank among American art’s most cherished masterpieces. Dee’s program tells the story behind the creation and importance of these paintings both as iconic artworks and as unique historical records. Dee (Dolores) Kilgo, Ph.D., is a Professor Emerita of Art History at Illinois State University. She has authored two books, a PBS documentary, and numerous articles on nineteenth-century art and photography. Grants and fellowships from The Smithsonian, The National Endowment for the Arts, and The Missouri History Museum have funded her research projects. Since retiring from ISU, Dee has lectured widely on nineteenth-century art and popular culture. An Alton native, she now resides in Godfrey and Dunedin, Florida. Don’t miss this special event—Dee’s knowledge and humor make art history fun, accessible, and intriguing. This lecture will be offered on two dates: Wednesday, July 10 at 6:00 p.m., and Saturday, July 13 at 10:00 a.m. Seating is limited. Register at 1-800-613-3163.  

Venue: Genealogy & Local History Library

401 State Street, Alton, IL 62002 (Driving Directions)