SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 183
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
recognize the Blanton Museum of Art at The University of Texas as
it celebrates its 50th anniversary on February 16, 2013; and
WHEREAS, For decades, this Austin institution has been a
repository for some of the region's most esteemed collections; in
the past 15 years, the Blanton has skyrocketed to national
prominence, and its reputation has grown exponentially with the
opening of a spectacular new home and the rapid expansion of its
international collections; and
WHEREAS, Today, the Blanton Museum of Art claims one of the
most coveted Old Masters collections in the nation; its
multifaceted Latin American holdings are among the country's
most comprehensive; and
WHEREAS, Originally known as the University Art Museum,
the Blanton has a long and storied history that spans locations,
savvy donors, and colorful characters; its origins can be traced
to the Roaring '20s, a large swath of land near the Gulf of
Mexico, and a generous New York heir and his sculptor wife; and
WHEREAS, In 1927, Archer M. Huntington and Anna Hyatt
Huntington donated to The University of Texas a 4,000-acre tract
in Galveston; the land was eventually sold, and the proceeds from
the sale created an endowment for the museum, which opened in
1963 on the Austin campus; and
WHEREAS, Many art world luminaries and writers have
contributed to the success and scope of today's Blanton; the core
collections include a 1971 gift of Latin American works from John
and Barbara Duncan that consists of 1,200 drawings and some 200
paintings; donations from C. R. Smith and Charles Clark laid the
foundation for the museum's American Western art and
contemporary prints holdings; and
WHEREAS, Among the most noted gifts was that of author
James Michener and his wife, Mari; this acquisition took place
over decades and culminated in a collection of approximately 400
American paintings from the 20th century; and
WHEREAS, The Blanton's reputation was sealed with the
acquisition in 1998 of the venerable Suida-Manning Collection;
those holdings encompass hundreds of paintings and drawings by
Renaissance and Baroque masters; and
WHEREAS, Today's institution is named after Jack S.
Blanton, a former chairman of Houston Endowment, Incorporated,
which donated $12 million to help with the new museum's
construction; designed by Kallmann McKinnell & Wood Architects,
the building was opened in 2006, after many years of
anticipation; and
WHEREAS, Because of these combined gifts and the
unflagging determination of its many curators, the Blanton
Museum of Art is now a formidable storehouse of fine art and a
most worthy destination for international travelers and school
students alike; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
83rd Legislature, hereby honor the Blanton Museum of Art on the
occasion of its 50th anniversary and extend to its staff and
supporters best wishes in future endeavors; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared as an
expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.
Watson
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on February 11, 2013.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate