
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Marvin Cone: Painter Opening Saturday at the Figge Art Museum
Davenport, Iowa (January 16, 2025) — The Figge Art Museum will be opening Marvin Cone: Painter, an exhibition celebrating the extraordinary career of Marvin Cone, one of Iowa’s most well-known artists. The exhibition opens on Saturday, January 18 in the second-floor Lewis Gallery and will remain on view through June 18.
Born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Marvin Cone (1891–1965) was a visionary artist and teacher whose career spanned over five decades. Known for his versatility and technical brilliance, Cone’s artistic output ranged from serene impressionistic landscapes and mysterious surreal interiors to bold geometric abstractions. Cone’s art resonates deeply with audiences for its ability to blend technical precision with his distinctive vision of the world around him.
Cone was a close friend and contemporary of Grant Wood, with whom he shared a lifelong artistic friendship. Their trip to Paris in the summer of 1920 proved transformative for Cone, inspiring a stunning series of works depicting Parisian streets, gardens, and the French countryside. These impressionistic cityscapes and landscapes exemplify his ability to capture light and atmosphere with remarkable sensitivity.
Yet Cone was much more than a regional artist. Over the course of his career, he carved a distinctive artistic path, exploring new ideas and styles. From his dreamlike depictions of domestic interiors to his forays into abstract forms, Cone’s work reflects an artist in constant evolution, unafraid to challenge convention.
Marvin Cone: Painter features a carefully curated selection of works drawn from the Figge Art Museum’s permanent collection, as well as key pieces on loan from the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art and a private collection. The exhibition provides visitors with the opportunity to trace Cone’s artistic journey and includes some rarely seen works that highlight shifts in his subject matter and style.
“This exhibition is a celebration of an artist whose exceptional body of work deserves renewed attention,” said Vanessa Sage, Figge Senior Co-Curator. “Marvin Cone’s legacy endures as a testament to the power of creativity, and we are delighted to share his story with our visitors. Each work on display offers insight into Cone’s unique vision and his ability to connect deeply with viewers through art.”
The Figge is grateful to GoGo Enterprises, LLC, the contributing sponsor for this exhibition, for their generous support in making Marvin Cone: Painter possible.
About the Figge Art Museum:
The Figge Art Museum is dedicated to bringing art and people together. Located on the Mississippi River in downtown Davenport at 225 West Second Street, the Figge is the premier art exhibition and education facility between Chicago and Des Moines. Its landmark glass building, designed by British architect David Chipperfield, is home to one of the Midwest’s finest art collections and presents world-class exhibitions, art classes, lectures, and special events that attract visitors of all ages. Museum hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Thursdays; and 12-5 p.m. on Sundays. Reservations are not required, but can be made at www.figgeartmuseum.org or by calling 563-345-6632. Admission to the museum is $14 for adults, $10 for seniors and students with ID and $8 children ages 4-12. Admission is free to Figge members and institutional members and to all on Thursday evenings. You can become a member for as little as $50 by visiting the Figge website. To contact the museum, please call 563.326.7804, or visit www.figgeartmuseum.org.
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