by Franklin Beaumont

Created on: July 30, 2010

The Worcester Art Museum, or the WAM, in Worcester, Massachusetts, is the second largest art museum in New England, but is still relatively modestly sized in comparison with its national counterparts.

Nevertheless, it is home to a diverse and extensive collection of over 35,000 artworks, ranging from contemporary art to works dating back to the age of antiquity, representing cultures from all over the globe.

Stepping into the main hall, one is confronted by impressive Roman Mosaics; to one side, one sees incredible Buddha statues from China, and on the other, a reconstructed French Medieval chapter house. These pieces have the effect of immediately transporting you to another world.

The WAM may be small, but it makes the most of what it has. The artwork is arranged to make maximum use of the space available, and manages to keep each area spacious and airy, providing the perfect environment to focus on the art rather than  the surroundings.

The WAM also cleverly makes an attraction of the museum itself; with its expansive floor mosaics, the aforementioned chapter house – originally situated in the Benedictine Priory of Saint John – and a Renaissance court that serves as the central hub of the museum.

The entire building is in the Renaissance Revival style, with a two story central court, surrounded by a number of major galleries. There in the court one can see fifth century Antioch mosaics, including the famous Antioch Hunt mosaic.

As one begins to explore, it becomes clear that what the WAM lacks in size it makes up for in the quality of its exhibitions. The diverse collection ranges from paintings, sculptures, gems, reliefs and armor.

Represented are pieces from Rome, Ancient Greece and Egypt, significant works from Asian and the Pre-Columbian era, and an excellent American collection including perhaps the definitive set of Paul Revere silver, and the world-famous Freake paintings.

In all, the collection encompasses over five thousand years of global art history. In keeping with WAM’s tradition of representing contemporary art, a dedicated gallery for this purpose is also maintained, and there is fine collection of impressionist works on display.

Specific highlights include the El Greco ‘Mary Magdalene’, Rembrandt’s ‘St Bartholomew’ and ‘Peaceable Kingdom’ by Edward Hicks. Franz Klines and Jackson Pollock are also well represented, as is Salvador Dali. The range of schools and disciplines on show is very broad. Displays are revolved in a timely fashion, and are always laid out in an instinctive and logical way. Large scale exhibitions are held twice a year.

The complex includes a café, which is fairly expensive, and a well stocked gift store. The WAM also features an art school – the museum working with students from Clark University – providing classes for adults and children that are highly recommended, an impressive cutting edge art restoration studio, and an extensive library.

Overall, this is a fine museum that is well worth a visit if you are in the area; and well worth going out of your way for if you are not.

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