In celebration of Maryland ‘Treasures

of State’ continues through October 22

Written by Crystal Schelle

When I was in fourth grade, part of our curriculum was Maryland history.

We learned about Queen Henrietta Maria, from whom the state was named, and how it became one of the original 13 colonies. We learned about the tobacco on the Eastern Shore, the blue crabs and oysters fished from Chesapeake Bay. We marveled at our truly interesting flag, which bears the arms of the Calvert and Crossland families. We went on local field trips.

We were exposed to so many things that made Maryland such an unusual place, I would beam with pride every time I would say I was a Maryland native. I still do. So, you can only imagine my excitement when we started discussing the exhibition “Treasures of State: Maryland’s Art Collection.” The show opened in June and will continue through Oct. 22, 2023.

“Treasures of State” is jointly presented by the museum and the Maryland State Archives, highlighting both the museum’s collection as well as that of the archives. More than 90 American and European paintings, works on paper, furniture, and decorative arts are part of the exhibition.

The exhibition is organized in a loose chronological order and focuses on key themes such as the Colonial and Federal eras, antebellum America and the Civil War, Maryland landscapes, notable Marylanders, scenes of daily life, and the Peabody Collection.

Two of the paintings in the exhibition are by a father-son duo, Charles Willson Peale, and his son, Raphaelle. Both Peales created portraits of Maryland Gov. Samuel Sprigg who was born in Washington County. Raphaelle painted Sprigg in 1819, and in 1824 his father painted Sprigg as well.

It’s interesting to see how they both interpreted the governor in these portrait paintings. Personally, I like Raphaelle’s approach to Sprigg. But visitors can make up their own mind as they are on display on the same wall.

One of my personal favorite objects in the exhibition is a Maryland state flag created by Bearclaw of the Cherokee Nation. Beading has been a long-standing Cherokee artform that has been passed down through the generations. Bearclaw used 74,592 beads to make this flag and presented it to the Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs to the Maryland secretary of state on Nov. 28, 2008, in honor of the state’s establishment of American Indian Heritage Day.

Civil War enthusiasts can see the work of photographer Alexander Gardner at the Battle of Antietam. Or the sculpture by John Rogers called “The Council of War.” In the center, sitting in a chair, is President Abraham Lincoln, with Gen. Ulysses S. Grant to his right and Edwin M. Stanton, secretary of war, to his left. The piece was completed in 1873, nine years after the war’s end.

One of the more unusual and slightly opulent objects is a sterling silver vegetable dish by the Baltimorefirm Samuel Kirk & Sons. In 1904, then-Maryland Gov. Edwin Warfield commissioned the creation of a silver service to be placed on the new armored cruiser Maryland. Two years later the set was complete. The entire set has 167 scenes from the history of Maryland’s 23 counties and Baltimore City. This one dish on display represents Washington County.

Not all the objects included in the exhibition are about Maryland. Some depict other countries and were given to Maryland as gifts. There’s a section about artists traveling abroad and a special area devoted to works on paper that are part of the prestigious Peabody Collection owned by the state. In all sections of the exhibition, works from the state are shown alongside representative examples from the museum’s collection. One such example is the museum’s etching “View of the Arch of Constantine” made by Giovanni Battista Piranesi around 1747-78. The etching was published in a series called “Veduta di Roma” or “Views of Rome.” Etchings like this provided fitting souvenirs for early tourists, by capturing the charm of Roman landmarks and ruins. Piranesi would later be known for his architectural etchings.

A Maryland state flag that incorporates 74,592 beads was created by Bearclaw of the Cherokee Nation, and presented to the Maryland Secretary of State in 2008 to honor American Indian Heritage Day.

Plan a trip to see “Treasures of State” before the exhibition ends. Maybe you won’t crave Old Bay

What Not To Miss

As summer comes to an end there are plenty of things to experience at the museum.

• “Landscapes and Legends of Norway: William Singer & His Contemporaries” closes Sept. 17. Hurry in to see these beautiful depictions of the Nordic landscape that our founder William Singer, and his wife Anna Brugh Singer, fell in love with.

• Paint and Sip, Friday, Sept. 8 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Learn how to create traditional Norwegian Rosemaling with Lise Lorentzen. Lise will lead guests in painting a wooden heart-shaped project in the Hallingdal style of Rosemaling. Inspired by “Landscapes & Legends.”. All supplies will be provided. $70 museum members; $80 for general public. Register in advance by contacting Donna Rastelli at 301-7395727 or drastelli@wcmfa.org.

• “Sounds of Landscape”: Concert with Hiroya Tsukamoto, Saturday, Sept. 9, 4 to 6 p.m. Composer and innovative acoustic guitarist Tsukamoto will take the crowd on a musical journey inspired by landscapes, forests, and cultures. $15 museum members, $20 general public. Register in advance by contacting Donna Rastelli at 301-7395727 or drastelli@wcmfa.org.

as much as the rest of us, but you might be able to leave with some Maryland pride of your own.

Crystal Schelle is director of marketing and communications for the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, 401 Museum Drive, Hagerstown. The museum is open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4p.m. and Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. The museum is closed Mondays and major holidays. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

• “The Hidden History of Claire McCardell: Modern Design and the Birth of American Fashion,” Thursday, Sept. 14, 5:30 p.m. Author Elizabeth Evitts Dickinson discusses fashion icon, designer, and Frederick native McCardell who made revolutionary designs that helped women live independent lives. From the 1930s through the 1950s, McCardell pioneered ingenious new designs that remain staples of our wardrobes today. Dickinson is currently writing a book about McCardell. $8 museum members $10 general public. Register in advance by contacting Donna Rastelli at 301-739-5727 or drastelli@ wcmfa.org.

• “The Fashion of Claire McCardell” is an intimate display of 12 fashions by the iconic fashion designer. McCardell was a Frederick native. The display continues through Nov. 12.