American Art at the Arkell Museum: The Role of the Macbeth Gallery in Shaping the Collection

     You told me earlier in the year that some day you wanted a fine Inness…
          Robert Macbeth to Bartlett Arkell, March 8, 1917

The Macbeth Gallery had a profound impact on the development of American art. It was the first gallery in New York City to focus on work by American artists, and held many ground-breaking exhibits. Today, the gallery is recognized for raising an interest in and creating a market for American art during its sixty-plus years as an influential firm (1892-1953). Our founder Bartlett Arkell made many important purchases at the Macbeth Gallery, and worked closely with gallery directors to build our extraordinary collection This exhibit is a small tribute to his vision for the future, and the early work of the Macbeth Gallery.