Modern & Contemporary Art

Because of its location in the heart of Florida, the Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art’s collection of Modern and Contemporary Art began with a focus on art made within the state; either by Floridians or made within Florida by transplants and visiting artists. The artists represented in the collection mirror the great diversity within the statewide population, including works by Cuban-American and other Latino artists, African-American artists and Asian-American artists.

Since 1983, and as the aspirations and stature of the Museum have risen, the scope of the collection has increased to include works by nationally and internationally recognized artists of the past and present along with rising artists whose work commands the attention of the art world. The Museum’s Modern collection has expanded in recent decades to include works by major artists from throughout the modern era.

Robert Rauschenberg (1925-2008), ‘Tibetan Garden Song,’ 1986, Museum Purchase through Funds Given in Memory of Trustees George Truitt, Meta Kryger, Robert Murray, Murray Weaver, and Craig Massey, Polk Museum Permanent Collection 1999.19.

Art of the Ancient Americas

Art of the Ancient Americas art was one of the earliest collecting areas adopted by the Museum. Initiated by a major gift from Winter Haven collectors Dr. David and Lucia Taxdal, this collection now features artifacts from many cultural groups in present-day Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Peru. The objects date from c. 800 BCE to c. 1500 CE and include ceramics, textiles, stone carvings, and precious metal pieces. Hallmark objects are a male effigy figure from the Remojades area of Veracruz, a polychrome jaguar vessel from Costa Rica, and a Moche effigy vessel from Peru. A majority of the museum's Art of the Ancient Americas collection is on permanent display in the museum's Taxdal Gallery.

‘Jaguar Effigy Vessel,’ Costa Rica, 800-1200 CE, Gift of Dr. & Mrs. David Taxdal, Polk Museum Permanent Collection 1983.1.2.

Asian Art

The Museum owns collections of Korean Silla period ceramic and metal objects that date from 300-900 CE; 19th and 20th Century Chinese and Japanese ceramics, ivories, and textiles; Chinese and Japanese scrolls; and Japanese woodblock prints. Of particular significance in the Asian Art collection is a portfolio of rare 19th-century Japanese woodblock prints by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi depicting the Thirty-two Aspects of Women and a group of 48 ceramic objects by noted 20th-century Japanese artists, which were donated by Reverend Muneharu Kurozumi, Chief Patriarch of Kurozumi-kyo Shintoism. In 2006, William D. and Norma Canelas Roth donated a large collection of Japanese textiles to further expand the museum's holdings of Asian art.

Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892), ‘Undecided: The Appearance of a Proprietress of the Kaei Era’ from the Series ‘32 Aspects of Women,’ 1888, Gift of G. E. Robert Meyer, Polk Museum Permanent Collection 1995.39.18.

European Decorative Arts

This portion of the collection focuses on European ceramics from the 15th to the 19th century, English silver (primarily Georgian) and 18th and 19th century American silver. Highlights from this collection include Italian majolica from the 15th and 16th centuries, French faience from the 17th and 18th centuries, and over 60 pieces of English Georgian silver.

Plate Depicting the Fall of Manna, 16th century, Majolica, Gift of Dr. Jane Carver Holmes, Polk Museum Permanent Collection 1975.2.1

African Art

In 2004, Norma Canelas and William D. Roth graciously gave the Museum the seeds for a new collection of African art. This gift of 56 traditional pieces made from a variety of media include the Himba, San, Zulu, Ntwana, Swazi, Bhaca, Sotho, Ndebele, Thembu, Pedi, and Batonka cultures.

‘Child’s Apron,’ Ndebele Culture, South Africa, 20th Century, Gift of William & Norma Roth, Polk Museum Permanent Collection 2004.1.7.

Figurative American Art Collection

This collection features newly-acquired works focusing on the human figure in American art. The collection is comprised largely of gifts arranged by J. William Meek, III and Barbara Hanson Meek or through the Harmon-Meek Gallery, Naples, Florida.

Robert Remsen Vickrey (1926-2011), ‘Parthenon Procession,’ 2010, Egg tempera on gesso panel, Gift of Scott, Nicole, and Carri Vickrey, made possible by Harmon-Meek Gallery, FSC Permanent Collection FP.2017.19.5.