Stephen Montoya
Scott and Stuart Gentling weren’t just artists; they were scholars, musicians, and meticulous observers of history. Their fascination with the Age of Enlightenment — a period of intellectual and artistic revolution spanning the 17th to 19th centuries — shaped much of their work. From March 15 to July 13, the Amon Carter Museum of American Art presents “Classically Trained: The Gentlings and Music,” an exhibition exploring how the brothers immersed themselves in this era, drawing inspiration from its thinkers, composers, and aesthetics.
The exhibition presents more than 20 of their works, including paintings, drawings, and music influenced by Enlightenment-era culture, according to a release. Their art is accompanied by period music, as well as compositions by Scott Gentling, offering a deeper look into how sound and visual art informed their creative process.
The Gentlings’ interest in the Enlightenment extended beyond painting. They read extensively, played historical instruments, and collected period artifacts. “Classically Trained” features objects that shaped their artistic vision, including an 18th-century encyclopedia from the Carter’s Library and a harpsichord Scott commissioned for his personal use. Alongside these artifacts, visitors will find works from the Carter’s collection that the Gentlings encountered, such as William Harnett’s “The Old Violin” (1887) and N.C. Wyeth’s Franklin’s Arrival in “Philadelphia” (1923).
The exhibition also highlights one of the Gentlings’ most significant projects: their decorative work for Fort Worth’s Bass Performance Hall. The show includes original watercolor studies and design renderings for the hall’s dome and facade, showcasing their integration of classical themes with their signature artistic approach. The motifs of birds and wings — recurring symbols in their work — connect this project to their best-known series, “Of Birds and Texas”.
The Carter holds the largest institutional collection of the Gentlings’ work, along with an extensive archive of their papers, letters, and preparatory studies. “Classically Trained” continues the museum’s efforts to expand awareness of their contributions to American art.
To complement the exhibition, a concert will take place on July 8 at the Van Cliburn Concert Hall at TCU, featuring works by classical composers who influenced Scott Gentling, along with two of his original compositions. A publication with contributions from TCU music professors Martin Blessinger, Gina Bombola, and Stuart Cheney will accompany the event.
This exhibition offers a detailed examination of the Gentlings’ approach to art and music, placing their work within the broader historical context that inspired them.
