Eighth Annual New Sweden History
Conference Three New Sweden Artists:
Gustavus Hesselius, Adolph-Ulrich Wertmüller & Paula Himmelsbach Balano
Click here to download brochure/registration form (944).
 Saturday, November 8, 2008
Christ Church (Old Swedes’) Upper Merion
740 River Road • Swedesburg, PA 19405
This conference will examine the artistic and historical contexts of three important artists who worked in the geographical area of the former New Sweden Colony (1638-55), today the states of Delaware, New Jersey & Pennsylvania. Gustavus Hesselius (1682-1755) was North America’s first successful portraitist. Adolph-Ulrich Wertmüller (1751-1811) is well known for his portraits of Marie Antoinette and George Washington, as well as his provocative history painting “Danae.” Paula Himmelsbach Balano (1877-1967) was a painter and stained glass artist who created the windows for Christ Church. She was the first woman to develop and fabricate her own designs, in her own studio, under her own name. All three artists were born abroad (the men in Sweden, Balano in Germany) and all three made important contributions to the development of the visual arts in North America and the United States.
Schedule
9:15 Registration
10:00 Welcome & Announcements
10:15 Morning Program
Roland E. Fleischer, Professor Emeritus of Art History, Pennsylvania State University: “Gustavus Hesselius: More Questions than Answers.”
Carol Eaton Soltis, Consulting Curator, Center for American Art, Philadelphia Museum of Art: “Adolph- Ulrich Wertmüller (1751-1811): Artist, Farmer & Cultural Provocateur.”
Kim-Eric Williams, Governor, Swedish Colonial Society: “Paula Himmelsbach Balano and the Challenge of New Sweden in Stained Glass.”
12:30 Luncheon in the Parish Hall. Note that the Parish Hall is not barrier free. It is an historic structure with five steps. Restrooms are located in the Parish Hall.
There will be a tour of the church after lunch.
1:30 Afternoon Program
Rebecca J. Sheppard, Assistant Professor, School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy, University of Delaware: “Finding the Home of Adolph-Ulrich Wertmüller.” Introduced by Carolyn Mercadante, President, Claymont Historical Society.
Questions & Discussion
Announcement of 2009 Program
Click here to download brochure/registration form (944).
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