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In
1892, Anthony J. Drexel, founder of the Drexel Institute of Art,
Science and Industry, purchased art specifically for the Institute,
which he housed on the first floor of the Main Building. In 1901, upon the death of Mr. Drexel's brother-in-law, John D. Lankenau, a large collection of European paintings came into the collection, and the space on the first floor was inadequate to display the collection. It was in 1902 that the Picture Gallery on the third floor of the Main Building was first used for exhibition. The Gallery consisted of approximately 115 pictures hung in a stacked fashion that filled the walls from cornice to wainscot. During the first three decades of the Gallery's existence, there were only minor changes to the collection and the Gallery. The first major reconfiguration of the collection occurred in 1935, when it was determined that the Gallery was so overcrowded it was impractical for use. As a result, a number of items were placed in storage and a more formal exhibition area was created. |
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