Several hundred people filled the spacious lecture hall of Harvard University's Sackler Museum beyond its capacity last evening to honor Dr. "David" Gordon Mitten as he marked his 70th birthday and retirement from his role as Curator of Ancient Art at the Museum. Attendees -- some of whom sat in the aisles, stood in the doorways, or even crowded the projection room when the auditorium exceeded its limit -- included family, colleagues, friends, students past and present, antiquities collectors and dealers.
David's long-time friend and cross-town colleague, John J. Herrmann Jr., Curator of Classical Art Emeritus from the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, delivered a fabulously insightful, witty and accessible talk entitled Deconstructing and Reconstructing the Harvard-Vatican Boy. The Harvard-Vatican Boy, as it is known, is a masterful life-size 2nd century AD Roman marble sculpture and according to Dr. Herrmann may represent a young Narcissus that once decorated a Roman garden pool. It was acquired by the Sackler in 1999 through the David M. Robinson Fund.
Following the lecture, the crowd joined David at a reception in the timeless halls of the grand Renaissance courtyard of Harvard's Fogg Art Museum. Attendees, some coming from Switzerland, Japan, South African, Barcelona, and across the USA to be part of this special evening, mixed as "David" with characteristic unwavering enthusiasm sprang about the room warmly greeting each of his hundreds of guests -- some he no doubt has not seen in years -- by name.
Long-time associate Amy Brauer who was central to organizing the event, provided opening remarks, and was followed by Susan Matheson of Yale University. George Ortiz of Switzerland, who has built one of the world's greatest private collections of ancient classical art, also spoke briefly, commenting on David's world-class connoisseurship and remarkable "eye."
David finished off the evening with an emotional talk at the podium where he reflected on his passion for historical objects being sparked when he found his first Indian arrowheads as a five-year-old boy. He thanked the many people over the years who have supported him and discussed the evolution of the Sackler's collection, which has grown significantly through the generosity of so many under David's curatorial direction.
David's final remarks were especially heartening to those in the audience who are passionate about collecting and stewarding antiquities for future generations. He strongly defended the rights of scholars and academics to study and publish important antiquities that appear on the market where clear provenance is not always able to be established. He emphasized that the role of museums is to collect and grow their collections for the benefit of future generations. And, he harshly criticized scandal-mongering in the press, as well academics out to vilify those who practice their freedom to acquire, trade, and share ancient works of art.
In tribute to David, a symposium will be held on Saturday, November 5.
Nice info, keep up the good work
Carl
Posted by: Carl | September 22, 2008 at 12:45 PM