The Gould Exhibition opens in Cornwall

The Cornwall Public Library, along with Robert and Loretta Gould of Ooltewah, TN and photographer William Gould and artist Paul Gould, will host an opening reception on Wednesday, July 10 at 4:00 p.m. to kick off the art exhibit, “Memories of Times Past- The Creative Talent of John Gould.” Patrons are invited to attend and hear more about his work.

The exhibit offers a nostalgic look at “Memories of Times Past” through 40 original pen and ink illustrations by the late Hudson Valley artist John Gould. These works transport viewers from Horsecars in Erie, PA to Sleepy Hollow Restoration in Tarrytown, NY. Local Cornish scenes include St Thomas’ Church in Canterbury, Cromwell Manor and Mallards on the Hudson near Storm King Mountain.

These pen and ink scenes were used by the artist to produce thousands of six-inch square ceramic tiles in the 1960s-70s and 80s. The original idea for the tiles was for the General Electric Company and the artist’s railroad illustrations for GE. Railroad plates became so popular that the artist began illustrating churches, ferries, lighthouses, bridges, riverboats, day boats, historic houses on the Hudson, West Point, Huguenot houses in New Paltz, Sleepy Hollow Restorations for plates . He collected over 250 scenes for the faience collection. Each original in the exhibition has a distinct and precise detail for which the artist was famous. Composition and contrast with careful use of shadow and shadow will delight viewers of John Gould’s artwork.

“Memories of Times Past- The Creative Talent of John Gould” will be on display in the Community Room of the Cornwall Public Library until August 26, 2024.