The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-07.
Art Institute of Chicago
museum and art school, in Grant Park, facing Michigan Ave. It was incorporated in 1879; George Armour was the first president. Since 1893 the Institute has been housed in its present building, designed in the Italian Renaissance style by Shepley, Rutan, and Coolidge. Among its famous collections are those of early Italian, Dutch, Spanish, and Flemish paintings, including works by El Greco, Rembrandt, and Hals. The Institute is rich in 19th-century American and French paintings; particularly well known is La Grande Jatte by Seurat. Modern American and European paintings are also well represented. Other collections include prints and drawings, dating from the 15th cent., and sculpture. The section on decorative arts has porcelains, textiles, glass, and rooms of period furniture. The Institute also has a fine collection of Chinese art. Other features include the Ryerson Library for research and the Goodman Memorial Theater with its school of drama.
