Nearly two years ago Thomas Denenberg was named chief curator of the Portland Museum of Art. This past winter he

added “and deputy director” to his title. Denenberg continues a tradition at the PMA—the state’s oldest and largest public art museum—of bringing Maine art to the world and the world’s art to Maine. During the interview that led to MH+D’s April Profile, “Curating a Mythical Maine,” we asked Denenberg to name a few of his favorite painting the PMA’s permanent collection…

Thomas Denenberg's

Favorite Paintings

in the PMA Collection...

and Why

Winslow Homer, Weatherbeaten

1894, oil on canvas

“. . . the final moment when Homer directs our attention to the coming modernist vision of the coast . . . everyone who follows is following . . . the most primal bit of New England topography: where the Atlantic pounds the rocks.”

Frederic Church, Mount Katahdin from Millinocket Camp

1895, oil on canvas

“. . . late painting by perhaps the most famous American artist of the 20th century . . . this could be the official painting of the State of Maine . . . I love the role Church played in American society, literally a rock star . . . his works were greeted with bunting across Broadway in NYC when unveiled, crowds filed by 24/7 to see them on view.”

Edward Hopper, Monhegan Houses, Maine

1916-1919, oil on board

“. . . perhaps because it is the most recent museum purchase . . . a quintessential Maine painting, it tells the story of the student-teacher relationship between Hopper and Robert Henri, informs us about the importance of Monhegan as a modernist art colony and speaks volumes about life along the coast in early 20th century Maine.”