An American Story: Paintings from the Parthenon’s Cowan Collection

Gifted to the city nearly a century ago by James M. Cowan, this extraordinary collection reveals how American artists at the turn of the twentieth century shaped a national artistic identity. Featuring works by fifty-seven painters, many linked through shared training and artistic collaboration, the collection traces a pivotal moment in American art history.

At its heart are sweeping landscapes and luminous plein-air paintings that capture the drama, beauty, and variety of America, from lush fields and forests to dynamic coastal scenes. Together with a select group of compelling portraits, these works reflect Cowan’s bold, personal vision and his enduring belief in the power of art to tell an American story.