“The Athenian Acropolis: Photographs by William James Stillman, An Exhibition in Memory of Professor Christina Elliott Sorum (1944-2005)” will be displayed in the Nott Memorial at Union College from April 20 – June 11, 2006.
Stillman was born in Schenectady in 1828 and graduated from Union College in 1848. This exhibition will feature photographic reproductions of Stillman’s photographs of the Athenian Acropolis from the College’s collection. It will include a selection of original photography albums, letters and other printed works by Stillman.
Andrew Szegedy-Maszak, inaugural Sorum Guest Professor, Union College, and Professor of Classical Studies and the Jane A. Seney Professor of Greek at Wesleyan University, will discuss Stillman’s photographs of the Athenian acropolis. Szegedy-Maszak is the author of numerous books and articles on classical archaeology and photography.
“William James Stillman was one of those nineteenth-century figures whose industry and accomplishment continue to astonish. From extremely modest beginnings, he went on to befriend many of the era’s most important intellectual and artistic luminaries, with whom he maintained an extensive correspondence. He was at various times of his life a painter, editor, diplomat, spy, art critic, amateur archaeologist, political commentator, and journalist. He was also an uncommonly gifted, innovative photographer,” Szegedy-Maszak writes.
The exhibition and opening lecture are dedicated to the memory of Christina Elliott Sorum (1944 – 2005).
Sorum was the 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 the College.
In conjunction with the exhibit and in honor of Rome’s traditional birthday, there will be an undergraduate research conference in Classics on Friday, April 21.
Szegedy-Maszak will offer a workshop on the Stillman photographs for students between 10:15 and 11:15 a.m. Throughout the day, 12 students from Union, Colgate, Hamilton and Skidmore will read papers on topics ranging from ancient Egypt to classical influences on recent films and modern battle strategies.
Stillman was in the Class of 1848. Andrew Szegedy-Maszak is the Classical Studies and Jane A. Seney Professor of Greek at Wesleyan. He worked in Union’s archives during summer 2004. He published his research results in “Antiquity and Photography: Early Views of Ancient Mediterranean Sites,” with Claire Lyons and John Papadopoulos (Los Angeles: J. Paul Getty Museum) in 2005.
“Christie herself selected Andrew Szegedy-Maszak,” said Hans- Friedrich Mueller, Classics chair. “Shortly after my arrival at Union, she called to urge me to invite Andy to campus to lecture on the Stillman photographs. I still have the sticky note I made during that phone call. Rachel Seligman, the curator of the exhibition, has a similar story to tell. We feel that Christie would have approved.”
The events, open to the Union community, are organized by the Classics Department, in part through an anonymous donor who established the Christina Elliott Sorum Guest Professorship in Classics. Events will be held in the Nott and at Memorial Chapel. For more information, contact Mueller at muellerh@union.edu
The Nott Memorial is free and open to the public every day, year round.
Gallery hours are Monday-Sunday daily from 10 am – 6 pm. For additional information, please call the Information Line: 388-6004 or Mandeville Gallery Offices: 388-6729.