Streams and Mountains Without End: Asian Art and the Legacy of Sherman E. Lee at the Cleveland Museum of Art
June 27– August 23, 2009
The Kelvin and Eleanor Smith Foundation Exhibition Hall
50 masterworks on view from CMA’s renowned collection of Asian art acquired during Dr. Lee’s tenure as a curator and director
Streams and Mountains Without End: Asian Art and the Legacy of Sherman E. Lee at the Cleveland Museum of Art is a memorial exhibition honoring the late Dr. Sherman E. Lee (1918-2008). Comprising approximately 50 masterworks of Asian art acquired by the museum during Dr. Lee’s tenure of more than three decades as a curator and director of the CMA, Streams and Mountains Without End pays tribute to one of the most important individuals in the history of this institution and a leading figure in the museum world.
Under Dr. Lee’s leadership, the Cleveland Museum of Art underwent a dramatic transformation—both physically and in terms of the development of its collection—and became one of the most significant institutions of its type in this country. His broad knowledge of the field and insistence on maintaining the highest standards of aesthetic quality are clearly reflected in a collection that is world renowned and has strengths in many different areas. Nowhere is this more evident than in the remarkable holdings of Asian art assembled at CMA during his tenure. The exhibition explores and celebrates Lee’s role in building CMA’s Asian collections as well as his collecting philosophy, taste, and scholarship in the field.
Juxtapositions of selected works in the exhibition clearly demonstrate the visual and stylistic standards that informed Lee’s selection of works of art for the museum, and introduce visitors to subjects, themes, and styles that cut across the large and diverse field of Asian art. Encompassing works of different cultures in a wide range of media, the exhibition conveys the remarkable range of Lee’s aesthetic and scholarly interests as well as his willingness to venture into certain new fields not yet widely recognized as collecting areas by Western connoisseurs. Visitors will come away with an appreciation of Lee’s discerning eye, his foresight, and the collection’s extraordinary scope and quality.
Born in Seattle, Wash., Dr. Sherman E. Lee received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from American University, and a doctoral degree from Case Western Reserve University. Lee joined CMA in 1952 as curator of Oriental art and was promoted as the museum’s third director in 1958, a position he held through 1982. He had a passion for Asian art, and under his tenure as both curator and director, helped to build a world renowned collection at CMA.
Lee was internationally known and revered for his many books including A History of Far Eastern Art, profiling exhibitions and leadership within the museum world. In addition to serving as director of CMA, Lee served as curator of Far Eastern art at the Detroit Institute of Art, associate director of the Seattle Art Museum; led the Japan Society, Asia Society, and The China Institute; and served as adjunct faculty in the art history department at Case Western Reserve University. Before his death, Lee was an adjunct professor of art history at the University of North Carolina.
Fukutomi Zoshi (detail), Japan, Kamakura Period | 1953.358
Streams and Mountains Without End: Asian Art and the Legacy of Sherman E. Lee at the Cleveland Museum of Art is organized by the Cleveland Museum of Art, and curated by Anita Chung, curator of Chinese art at CMA; Stan Czuma, curator emeritus of Indian and Southeast Asian art; and Jim Ulak, deputy director of the Freer and Sackler galleries. This exhibition is presented by Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP. Support for education and public programs has been provided by the Womens Council of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
FREE ADMISSION
PROGRAMS
SLIDE SHOW
VIDEO
Current and former staff members share memories of Sherman Lee in audio and video on YouTube, beginning with this audio clip from his former secretary.
Peggy Kundtz
Jane Glaubinger
Tom Hinson
Mel Horvath
Ursula Korneitchouk
Ariel Kozloff
Sara Jane Pearlman
Marjorie Williams
IN THE NEWS
The Plain Dealer (July 19)
Asian show reveals Lee’s vision, humor
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