Kirkland Museum - The Collins Family on the Web

The Kirkland Museum of Fine and Decorative Art in Denver, Colorado

June 2011

During our stay in Denver, we visited the Kirkland Museum of Fine and Decorative Art. Here are photos that capture some of the highlights.

Kathy found this gem of a museum highly rated on Trip Advisor

Kirkland Museum of Fine and Decorative Art

The Kirkland Museum holds more than 20,000 examples of mid-20th century modern decorative art pieces (ceramics, furniture, etc.) and has about 3,000 pieces on display in the museum. We were overwhelmed by the breadth and depth of their collection.

There was a special exhibit at the Kirkland Museum featuring works by the 'Colorado 15'. These were 15 Colorado artists who broke away from the Denver Artists Guild so they could pursue modern, non-representational art that was still, even in the mid-20th century in Denver, frowned upon by the Guild. Vance Kirkland was a member of the Colorado 15.

Vance Kirkland, Unknown Nebula - 1959

Vance Kirkland, The Energy of Explosions Twenty-Four Billion Years B.C. - 1978

We enjoyed this comment about Kirkland by Dr. Richard Brettell who was the lecturer for the Impressionist Art DVDs from the Teaching Company that we watched prior to our France trip in 2009.

Frank Lloyd Wright, 'Tree of Life' Window from the Darwin D. Martin House, Buffalo, NY - 1903-1905

Frank Lloyd Wright, 'Tree of Life' Window from the Darwin D. Martin House, Buffalo, NY - 1903-1905

Frank Lloyd Wright, 'Pier Cluster' Window from the Darwin D. Martin House, Buffalo, NY (also known as 'Hanging Wisteria' Window) - 1903-1905

Frank Lloyd Wright, Dining Suite (2 original tables and 6 original chairs and cushions) from 'Broad Margin' (Austin House), Greenville, South Carolina - 1951

Frank Lloyd Wright, 'Broad Margin' chair and cushion close-up

Frank Lloyd Wright, Johnson Wax Building Chair - 1938

Frank Lloyd Wright, Price Tower Stenographer Chair - 1956

Eero Saarinen, Tulip Side Chair (Pedestal Side Chair) - 1955

Alvar Aalto, Stool / Table (Model X602) - 1954

Eva Zeisel, Tomorrow's Classic - 1949-1950

Eva Stricker Zeisel, Art Deco Ceramics - c. 1928-30 and Tri-Tone Kitchenware - 1953-54

Russel Wright, Theme Informal, 1964

A collection of Mid- 20th Century Modern appliances

Don F. Allen, Plate (Central City Opera House) - 1947

Boardman Robinson, Opera House, Central - 1933

Anna Castelli Ferrieri, 'Round Up' Modular Storage Units/Tables no. 4955 - 1969. Jeff and Brian had tables like this in their bedrooms.