Permanent Collection

The Swope Art Museum is known for its extraordinary collection of nearly 2,500 works of American art including paintings, sculptures, and works on paper from the 19th century to the present. Changing exhibitions from the permanent collection include selections from American Scene Painting of the 1930s and 1940s, 19th century American art, early 20th century modernism, Indiana art, and Post-World War II figurative and abstract art.

The major strength of collection is American Scene Painting of the 1930s and 1940s, with work by artists such as Thomas Hart BentonCharles BurchfieldJohn Steuart CurryEdward HopperReginald Marsh, and Grant Wood.

19th century American art movements are represented through works by artists as diverse in style as William Merritt ChaseGeorge InnessFrederick MacMonniesMary Fairchild MacMonnies, and Tompkins Harrison Matteson.

20th century American art includes work by George BellowsArthur B. DaviesManierre DawsonJack LevineGeorge Luks, and Fairfield Porter.

The Swope collection also has great depth in historic Indiana art, including work by Hoosier Group artists J. Ottis AdamsWilliam ForsythOtto Stark, and Theodore C. Steele; Brown County, Indiana Impressionists like C. Curry BohmCarl C. Graf, and Genevieve Goth Grath; and Terre Haute natives John Rogers CoxJames Farrington GookinsJanet ScudderCaroline Peddle Ball, and Gilbert Wilson.

Post-World War II and more contemporary artists in the collection include Mark di SuveroRobert IndianaPaul JenkinsRobert Motherwell, and Andy Warhol.

Click here to learn more about pieces featured in the Swope’s collection.