The founders of Lehigh University saw art as integral to a well-rounded education. Following in the footsteps of Thomas Jefferson, who made his personal art collection accessible to students and faculty at the University of Virginia, Lehigh University’s first president, Henry Coppée, declared art one of the “elementary branches” of education. Art has been part of the university since its beginning in 1865. By 1926 the university was actively collecting and exhibiting works of art, and in 1935 the first gallery facilities were established to house the permanent collection. From these humble beginnings the Lehigh University Art Galleries · Teaching Museum was formed.  Today, the permanent collection numbers over 15,000 works of art, spanning many cultures and centuries. Although the collection has evolved and grown, the mission has stayed the same, to inspire, develop, and promote visual literacy and cultural understanding, providing educational opportunities across all areas of study.

This extensive exhibition, on view throughout two galleries, features highlights from the university’s world-class collection, including works by Pierre Bonnard, Margaret Bourke-White, Albrecht Dürer, Wifredo Lam, Charles Burchfield, Jasper Johns, Diane Arbus, Jacob Lawrence, Robert Mapplethorpe, Henri Matisse, and many more.

Exhibition hours are Wednesday through Saturday 11 AM – 5 PM and Sunday 1 PM – 5 PM. The Main and Lower Galleries are CLOSED Mondays and Tuesdays.

Image Detail: Marsden Hartley, Fruit in Basket, 1922, oil on canvas