Collections showcase cultures, Catholicism, Marian chapel
After two years of construction, Notre Dame officially opened the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art in December of 2023. The new building was donated by Ernestine Raclin and Carmen and Chris Murphy, three philanthropists in the South Bend area, and was designed by Robert A. M. Stern, former dean of the Yale School of Architecture. Located on the south end of campus, on St. Andre Way, it is open to both the Notre Dame student body and the South Bend community at-large.
Encompassing 132,000 square feet, the Raclin Murphy Museum was built to provide a larger space for exhibition of the work of the previous campus museum, the Snite Museum of Art, which closed in November of 2023. The new museum features 23 different galleries spread across three levels, with pieces ranging from Renaissance European paintings to contemporary sculptures.
The museum’s first floor exhibits are dedicated to European and American art, and they showcase a wide variety of themes, styles, and time periods. Works range from Eduard Steinbruck’s 19th century oil on canvas Adoration of the Magi, to Charles-Louis Muller’s depiction of the French Revolution in The Roll Call Of the Last Victims, to serene American landscape paintings. Also on display is a marble replica of the first century Roman sculpture Laocoön and his Sons, as well as a gallery of African art.
The second floor contains mostly Native American art, holding collections of ancient pottery, weapons, tapestries, and decorations. It also features galleries of early European works, with many paintings depicting interactions between European and Native American peoples.
Also on the second floor is Paul Henry Wood’s Absolution Under Fire. Displayed in the balcony overlooking the atrium, it features a familiar legend of Notre Dame history, Fr. William J. Corby, C.S.C., a chaplain at the Battle of Gettysburg and President of Notre Dame. The painting shows Fr. Corby standing on a large rock and giving absolution to the Irish Brigade as enemy troops come into view.
Ian Gerdon, professor of theology and instructor at the University Writing Center, expressed his appreciation for the work with the Rover: “Wood’s ‘Absolution’ tells a story about Notre Dame and Catholicism in America: It shows us a group of people trying to be quintessentially American and quintessentially Catholic at the same time.”
Another notable aspect of the museum’s second floor is a Chapel dedicated to Mary, Queen of Families. Freshman Sam Hatch, a student intern at the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art, told the Rover that the chapel is his favorite part of the museum, saying, “I really like how bright it is, and how right behind the altar they combine a contemporary, boldly-colored backdrop with a more traditional European-style painting.”
The basement level of the museum is dedicated to contemporary art, modern art, and the Sculpture Court. Featured on this level are scientific constructions and photographs by sculptor and physics-lover Kenneth Snelson.
Sophomore Matthew Fagerheim, a student in the school of Architecture, commented on Snelson’s pieces, saying to the Rover, “I was not expecting much since I don’t really like modern art. But, I was happily surprised by how much I enjoyed Snelson’s work. His models were such an interesting example of the intersection between art and science.”
The modern art section also emphasized both Native American and African American art, particularly through works like Bernard Williams’ Black Indian, Buffalo Soldiers, a piece depicting black soldiers in the post-Civil War era and their interactions with both Native Americans and Christian settlers.
The Raclin Murphy stated its commitment to displaying such art, stating on an informational mural, “As an initial step towards reconciliation and out of a desire for a brighter and more equitable future, the Museum is committed to amplifying Indigenous voices and building conversation and collaboration through the hosting and support of Indigenous artists, art forms, and communities.”
Along with the wide array of art featured by the Raclin Murphy, the museum has received positive feedback for its inclusion of Catholic art specifically, from both students and faculty.
One senior shared with the Rover, “There are a great deal of paintings depicting scenes from classical mythology or Biblical stories, which I find especially beautiful. I was also surprised to discover the museum owns a Gustave Doré sculpture. I’m a big fan of Gustave Doré’s famous illustrations, and to see such a big name at our museum was a pleasant surprise.”
Gerdon also shared his thoughts on the Catholic nature of the museum, stating how he frequently takes student groups to visit for his class. Gerdon told the Rover, “How many collections can inform their visitors, ‘We are in the midst of reality responding with joy,’ and then lead them not only to the beauty of art but to the beauty of prayer and liturgy? I can’t imagine there are many art museums in the world that teach that point as clearly as the Raclin at Notre Dame.”
The Raclin Murphy is free and open to the public weekly from Tuesday through Sunday.
Xavier Anderson is a sophomore from Reston, VA studying finance. To escape the stress of sophomore year, he has decided to take up fishing. Send him worm recommendations at xanderso@nd.edu.
Photo Credit: Notre Dame News
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