Monmouth University’s Center for the Arts presents a retrospective exhibition of an American artist, humanist, and teacher Jacob Landau in the Pollak Gallery from April 11 – June 7. The opening reception will take place on Thursday, April 11 at 6 p.m. and on Wednesday, April 17 at 5 p.m. Dr. David Herrstrom, president of the Jacob Landau Institute will give a gallery talk.
Born in Philadelphia in 1917, Jacob Landau launched his career as an illustrator, winning national prizes at age 16 and a scholarship to the Philadelphia College of Art. He had over sixty one-person shows and was the recipient of many awards, including Tiffany, Guggenheim and National Arts Council grants. Many of his works are featured in permanent collections in the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Museum of Modern Art in New York, among others. A master teacher, he retired as professor emeritus at New York’s Pratt Institute. In 1996, he was awarded an honorary Doctorate in Fine Arts by Monmouth University.
Landau, who died in 2001, won praise for his “humanist” approach to art, which explored the basic themes of human existence and morality, according to Institute president David Herrstrom. Having lived through the Great Depression, Landau faced tough times and human cruelty, influences that can be seen throughout his works. Herrstrom explains that, “As a humanist, Landau was committed to the belief that art must do more than entertain or please. Creating inner conflict, art can precipitate a small crisis of perception or conscience in us and contribute to human growth.”
The exhibition features a selection of 32 pieces from Monmouth University’s extensive collection of Jacob Landau’s work, which is comprised of over 300 prints, drawings and paintings. The collection was gifted to Monmouth University in 2008 by the Jacob Landau Institute of Roosevelt, NJ.
Advocacy, Revelation, Transcendence – Jacob Landau will be on view from April 11 – June 7 in the Pollak Gallery. All events are free & open to the public. Docent tours are available. Please contact Susan Douglass at sdouglas@monmouth.edu to schedule a tour. For additional information on the exhibition and other gallery events on the West Long Branch campus of Monmouth University, please contact call 732.263.5712 or visit www.monmouth.edu/arts.