The Joslyn Museum was a gift to the people of Omaha from Sarah Joslyn in memory of her husband George. The Joslyns had moved to Omaha from the East and made their money there. They had no surviving children so this museum is their legacy. It is a beautiful art deco building with a magnificent fountain court. In many ways the building is as interesting as the eclectic collection it houses.
There are works by Titian (man with a falcon, formerly from the collection at Castle Howard), El Greco (St Francis in prayer) and a haunting realistic St Jerome by Ribera showing the aesthetic saint cradling a skull in his hands with his eyes uplifted to heaven. Claude Lorraine's "Rest on the Flight to Egypt", Tiepolo (the son) St Joseph and the Christ Child done in wonderful soft pastels.
There is a beautiful Nattier of the Duchese Lambese, she is wearing a red sash that compliments her rosy lips and silver dress. There is a strangely gray portrait by Reynolds (he experimented with pigments and some of them changed over the years) alongside a beautiful Hoppner and a Raeburn. There is lovely American furniture spaced throughout the rooms.
Impressionist’s works by Degas, Monet, Pissarro and Renoir. Americans Mary Cassatt, James Peale and Childe Hassam are also represented. There is a small but poignant Winslow Homer of a soldier meditating beside a grave, a silent testimonial to the tragedy of the Civil War.
For those who prefer something a bit more modern there is Jackson Pollock, Hans Hofmann and George Segal.
One area of particular note is the Western Art Collection which includes the watercolors and prints of Karl Bodmer done on his journey from 1832-34 on the Missouri River frontier. There is also a beautiful Remington Bronze "Bronco Buster". Included in this same area are some fine examples of native bead work moccasins and leggings, some over 100 years old.
This museum has something for everyone including a nice cafe and a very nice gift shop.
The museum is open Tues-Sat. 10-4. Sun Noon-4. Entrance is $6.