t's how our gallery was founded."
As a condition of the donation, the art had to be made available to the public, making the Dulwich Picture Gallery the oldest purpose-built public art gallery in England. Although the Dutch Italianates may have fallen out of art collecting fashion, they had such an enormous influence on the 18th-century aesthetic in France and England, that it crossed the Atlantic to inspire 19th-century American art.
"These paintings are among the most beautiful landscapes produced by any country in the 17th century," Dejardin said. "We have been part of the process of bringing these artists back to public appreciation, and that's really what I want to do because amongst these names, there are a few that are quite well known, but they are all absolutely brilliant artists."
The Dutch Italianates: 17th-Century Masterpieces from Dulwich Picture Gallery will be on display through Jan. 3, 2010 at Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch.
"?Allison Meier
