Haggerty to Display Madonna and Child

The Haggerty Museum of Art, Marquette University has acquired the Madonna and Child by Pieter Claeissins a 16^th century Bruge painter (Flemish.)  The painting was acquired by the museum from the estate of Lillian Rojtman Berkman with the generous support of Catherine and David A. Straz, Jr. The gift was given in recognition of Haggerty Director, Curtis L. Carter's work in building the Museum from the very beginning, and for the Haggerty’s importance to Marquette University.  The painting was unveiled at a reception for the Haggerty’s Director's Circle members on July 13, and is now available for public viewing.

The Madonna and Child by Pieter Claeissins I is a large oil on panel in an elegant medieval frame. It features the Virgin Mary wearing a blue mantle and white headscarf holding the Christ Child in her lap. They are seated out-of-doors on a low wall framed by houses in the distance. Mary gazes down at the child while gently touching his foot. The Child holds what appears to be a small bird in his right hand. In Christian iconography, birds are among the earliest symbols for rebirth, and the finch is a symbol of Christ's Passion.

“The Claeissins Madonna and Child is an important addition to the Haggerty Collection and one of the earliest works in the Museum’s Old Master painting collection,” say Dr. Carter, director of the Haggerty.

The painting was previously exhibited at the Haggerty in an exhibition of the collection of  Lillian Rojtman Berkman from September 14, 1994 to February 28, 1995.  The late Lillian Rojtman Berkman, who died in New York  on May 1, 2001, lived in Milwaukee, on Lake Drive, with her husband Marc Rojtman, then President of D.I. Case.  The Rojtmans donated the Joan of Arc Chapel in 1965, and some 20 Old Masters paintings to the Marquette Art collection.

David and Catherine Straz were long time friends of Lillian Berkman. The Honorable David A. Straz Jr. graduated from Marquette University. He is a past president and member of the Marquette University Board of Trustees, and currently Ambassador at Large and Honorary Consul General of Liberia. In 1984, Marquette University dedicated its College of Business Administration building, David A. Straz, Jr. Hall. In 1999, he was named Marquette University Alumnus of the Year and received a Commendation from the Governor of Wisconsin for dedication to education and the visual and performing arts. Catherine Straz is a member of Marquette University’s Women’s Council, a trustee of Carthage College and a director of foundations in Tampa. In 2000, Catherine and David A. Straz, Jr. received the Kairos Award from the Haggerty Museum of Art for their distinguished role in the fine arts.

The Haggerty Museum of Art is located at North 13th St. and West Clybourn Avenue on the campus of Marquette University. Museum hours are Monday - Wednesday, Friday - Saturday, 10 am-4:30 p.m.; Thursday, 10 am-8 p.m.; and Sunday, noon-5 p.m.. Free parking is available in the Mary B. Finnigan Parking Lot (enter on 11th St. through Marquette Lot J). For more information please contact Brian Moore at 1-(414)-288-7290.