American Art

American painting is the focus of the Georgia Museum of Art’s collection of American art, which began with a donation of 100 American paintings by the museum’s founder. Nineteenth-century works include those by George Cooke, Albert Bierstadt, Thomas Eakins, Winslow Homer, George Inness, Elizabeth Jane Gardner, James McNeill Whistler, Childe Hassam and Frederick Frieseke. The collection is especially strong in early-20th-century paintings with important works by, among others, Stuart Davis, Reginald Marsh, Georgia O’Keeffe, Ben Shahn, Jacob Lawrence and Andrew Wyeth. Late-20th-century painters in the collection include Charles Burchfield, Alice Neel, Helen Frankenthaler and Elaine de Kooning, and the museum continues to acquire works, including those made in the 21st century. A gift by Larry and Brenda Thompson of 100 works by African American artists immeasurably enhanced the American art collection and has its own section on this website.

Works on Paper

The museum has an exemplary collection of works on paper ranging from the 16th through 20th centuries, including prints, drawings, watercolors and photographs. These holdings are especially strong in American art from the 1930s and early 1940s, including many Works Progress Administration prints.

Untitled (two figures with writings) Artist: Mary T. Smith (American, 1904 - 1995) Date: c. 1980s Medium: Paint and enamel on wood Credit Line: Georgia Museum of Art, University of Georgia; The Mullis Collection, Gift of Carl and Marian Mullis Object number: 2007.48

Self-Taught Artists

Works by self-taught artists (also referred to as folk art, vernacular art and outsider art) are a recent emphasis of the Georgia Museum of Art’s collecting philosophy. Major gifts by collectors Gordon W. Bailey, Carl Mullis and Ronald and June Shelp have included works by Minnie Adkins, Andrea Badami, Thornton Dial, Howard Finster, Denzil Goodpaster, Joe Light, Charlie Lucas, R.A. Miller, Royal Robertson, Sulton Rogers, O.L. Samuels, Mary T. Smith, Mose Tolliver and Purvis Young. These works have served as the basis of several exhibitions with accompanying award-winning publications, including “Amazing Grace: Self-Taught Artists from the Mullis Collection” and “Lord Love You: Works by R.A. Miller from the Mullis Collection.” Several large works are on display in the museum’s permanent collection galleries.

All the Devils Artist: R. A. Miller (American, 1912 - 2006) Date: n.d. Medium: Enamel paint on barn door Dimensions: Sight: 80 × 28 × 1 3/8 in. (203.2 × 71.1 × 3.5 cm) Credit Line: Georgia Museum of Art, University of Georgia; The Mullis Collection, Gift of Carl and Marian Mullis in honor of Shannon Candler, chairperson of the Board of Advisors Object number: 2009.144

The Mullis Collection

Since 2001, Carl and Marian Mullis have donated more than 400 works to the Georgia Museum of Art. The Mullis Collection focuses on American Scene prints and paintings, works by southern self-taught artists and southern stoneware and decorative art. It includes works by John Stockton de Martelly, Jackson Lee Nesbitt, Lawrence Beall Smith, members of the Meaders family, the Hewell family, the Crocker family, Jimmy Lee Sudduth, Howard Finster, Mose Tolliver, R.A. Miller, Mary T. Smith, Lonnie Holley and many others. The Mullis Collection also includes a number of pieces of Edgefield pottery on extended loan, including work by David Drake, Thomas Chandler and Collin Rhodes. Several works are on display within the galleries dedicated to American art and decorative arts.

Jacob Lawrence (American, 1917 – 2000), “Children at Play,” 1947. Tempera on hardboard panel, 20 × 24 inches. Georgia Museum of Art, University of Georgia; Eva Underhill Holbrook Memorial Collection of American Art, Gift of Alfred H. Holbrook. GMOA 1947.178.
Howard Finster (American, 1916 – 2001), “Howard Goes from Jackass Speed to the Speed of a Jet with Peter Paul,” 1989. Oil on board, 67 1/2 × 48 inches. Georgia Museum of Art, University of Georgia; The Mullis Collection, Gift of Carl and Marian Mullis in honor of William Eiland. GMOA 2010.250.
Joan Mitchell (American, 1926 – 1992), “Close,” 1973. Oil on canvas, 110 1/4 x 142 inches. Georgia Museum of Art, University of Georgia; University purchase. GMOA 1974.3263.
John Stockton de Martelly (American, 1903 – 1979), “Sara,” 1941–42. Egg tempera on canvas mounted on board, 32 × 24 inches. Georgia Museum of Art, University of Georgia; The Mullis Collection, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Carl W. Mullis III. GMOA 2004.204.
Lamar Dodd (American, 1909 – 1996), “Copperhill,” 1938. Oil and egg tempera, 28 × 50 1/4 inches. Georgia Museum of Art, University of Georgia; Gift of Mary and Lamar Dodd to the University of Georgia Foundation. GMOA 1974.3F.
William H. Johnson (American, 1901 – 1970), “High Peaks,” 1937. Oil on canvas, 27 × 31 inches. Georgia Museum of Art, University of Georgia; Gift of Alfred H. Holbrook. GMOA 1958.620.
Edwin B. Smith (American, 1815 – 1841), Robert Ransome Billups, ca. 1827. Oil on canvas, 30 × 31 1/8 inches. Georgia Museum of Art, University of Georgia; Museum purchase with funds provided by anonymous donor in honor of George-Ann and Boone Knox. GMOA 2009.89.
Stuart Davis (American, 1894 – 1964), “Snow on the Hills,” 1932. Oil on canvas, 21 5/8 × 31 7/8 inches Georgia Museum of Art, University of Georgia; Eva Underhill Holbrook Memorial Collection of American Art, Gift of Alfred H. Holbrook. GMOA 1946.122.