The Athenian Acropolis: Photographs by William James Stillman

William James Stillman was born in Schenectady, NY in 1828. He attended Union College, graduating in 1848. Stillman became an artist, a diplomat, and an influential art critic. In 1869 he traveled to Athens and took a series of photographs which he published in a folio called The Acropolis of Athens (1870). He returned to photograph the acropolis again in 1882, and arranged, numbered, and labeled over sixty of them in a large album. It is from this second series that the works in this exhibition have been selected.

This exhibition and Opening Lecture are dedicated to the memory of Christina Elliott Sorum (1944 – 2005). Christie was Frank Bailey Professor of Classics, Dean of the Faculty, and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Union College. An award-winning teacher, an innovative author and scholar, a superb administrator, and a beloved colleague, Christie worked tirelessly for students, faculty, and staff over more than two decades of service to Union College.