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Explore four centuries of creative expression in the United States.
Renowned for its expansive holdings of decorative arts and paintings, PEM’s American art collection spans four centuries of creative expression in the United States. Rooted in our historic holdings that celebrate the rich and diverse artistic and cultural heritage of Essex County, Massachusetts, the collection has continued to grow to embrace a broader representation of the art of this country.
The artists represented in this Seamans gallery use a variety of materials — wood, metal, glass, clay, paint, fiber and more — to convey their creative ambitions. Many of the artistic practices and decorative inspirations behind these works have long histories, with their origins traceable to Europe, Asia and the Americas. These examples of formal perfection, domestic utility and luxury, and innovative twists on cultural traditions tell a larger story of our global connectedness. Together, these works tell compelling stories of American life and the ongoing cultural exchanges between the people of the region, the country and the wider world. Located in the Seamans Gallery.
John Singer Sargent, Portrait of Sarah Lawrence Brooks, 1890. Oil on canvas. Anonymous gift, 2002. M11509. Photo by Jeffrey R. Dykes.
Josh Simpson, Mega Megaplanet, 1999. Glass. Museum purchase, 1999. 137968. © Josh Simpson.
Charlotte Barber, Portrait of Susan Burlingame, 1834. Oil on canvas. Bequest of Dwight D. Potter in memory of Mary Nelson Potter, 1973. 133254.
Hal Metlitzky, Grand Vortex, 2011. Walnut, Pernambuco, holly, ebony, imbuia, Osage orange wood, bloodwood, and rosewood. Gift of Lillian Montalto Bohlen in honor of Robert M. Bohlen. 2014.48.28. © Hal Metlitzky.
Riley Whiting, Tall Case Clock, 1833. Basswood, various secondary woods, paint, metal. Museum purchase, 2002. 138348.
Samuel McIntire and Michele Felice Cornè, pear, 1807. Painted pine, iron. Gift of J. Tucker and T. Pickering, 1821. 106944. Photo by Dennis Helmar.
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