James Britton 1878-1936
Three Priests, 1932
Watercolor and pencil, 7 1/8 x 5 3/4
College Acquisition
© Estate of James Britton/Licensed by VAGA, New York, NY
Portrayed in this watercolor are Rev. Andrew J. Kelly, on the left, and Rev. John J. Kelley, on the right. A statuette of the Curé D'Ars, patron of parish priests is seen on the left. The priests are surrounded by art works. Several of them are by James Britton. It is likely that the setting for this watercolor is the old St. Anthony's Rectory on Market Street, Hartford.

History

In 1937, on the occasion of Saint Joseph College's fifth anniversary, the late Rev. Andrew J. Kelly gave the College a collection of paintings and prints representing important trends in American art during the 1920s and 30s. The collection includes works by Milton Avery, Thomas Hart Benton, Georgia O'Keeffe, Louis Eilshemius, Eugene Higgins and Childe Hassam, all working artists at the time.

The late Rev. John J. Kelley bequeathed a second major collection to the College in 1966. This collection consists mostly of etchings, engravings, lithographs and relief prints dating from the fifteenth century to the early twentieth century. Included are prints by Dürer, Rembrandt, Whistler, Bellows, Homer, Hassam, Cassatt, and the Japanese masters of Ukiyo-e.

In 1969, a third collection was established in the name of Sister Mary Theodore Kelleher, RSM. former President of the College.

This is a contemporary print collection that reflects new trends, techniques and innovations of twentieth-century printmaking. It serves as a continuum in the long history of printmaking bringing to date the other two collections. Among the artists represented are Milton Avery, Stanley William Hayter, Sam Francis, Grace Hartigan, and Gabor Peterdi. Other significant gifts that strengthen the College's holdings of contemporary prints include works by Jacob Lawrence, Faith Ringgold, Miriam Schapiro, Sol Le Witt, Dale Chihuly and Sam Gilliam.

Saint Joseph College received a substantial addition to its Art Collection in 2000, which now hangs in the foyer of the Bruyette Athenaeum. Long-time supporter Gloria Marcello Turco '45 and her late husband, Dr. Vincent J. Turco donated "Birth of Venus" by Rueben Nakian. In honor of the Turcos, Paul Nakian, son of the renowned sculptor, presented eight lithographs to the College as well.

Since the first gift to the College, the collections have grown from under three hundred works to over 1850. Works from the College's collection have been on loan to other institutions in the region, including the Florence Griswold Museum and the Wadsworth Atheneum.

Vincenza Uccello stands with Paul Nakian and Gloria Turco in front of "Birth of Venus" in the Bruyette Athenaeum.