PRE-COLUMBIAN ART FROM THE
LUTHER W. BRADY COLLECTION

October 13, 2007 – March 16, 2008

In conjunction with the opening of the Museum’s newly renovated Latin American Gallery, Philadelphia collector Dr. Luther W. Brady has made a major gift of 45 Pre-Columbian works to the Reading Public Museum, several of which are featured in the new permanent Gallery. Most of the remaining works in this collection will be displayed in this new exhibition in the Cove Gallery. Featuring sculpture from Pre-Columbian cultures in Colombia, Ecuador and Mexico, this exhibition includes works spanning a period from approximately 500 B.C. through 1500 A.D.

Ronald C. Roth, Director and CEO of the Reading Public Museum stated, “We’re extremely grateful for these gifts from Dr. Brady. These works help to make the Reading Public Museum’s collection of Pre-Columbian Art among the most important in the Commonwealth.” Roth added, “Dr. Brady is a rare individual who, rather than offering his collection to the open market for profit, has donated it to a public institution, giving more people the opportunity to enjoy the art and the history it represents.”

Luther W. Brady, M.D. is one of the world’s foremost experts in radiation oncology. The standard textbook of radiation oncology, Principles and Practice of Radiation Oncology, published by Dr. Brady and Carlos Perez, defines the standards of modern radiation oncology. His curriculum vitae includes more than 550 original contributions in peer reviewed international journals.

Dr. Brady is a Distinguished University Professor, Hylda Cohn American Cancer Society Professor of Clinical Oncology, and Professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology of Drexel University College of Medicine. He acts as a consultant in radiation therapy in 24 different university hospitals, and is a member of numerous societies. The recipient of national and international awards, Dr. Brady has been awarded a total of 22 honorary medals. Dr. Brady acts as editor and co-editor in several American scientific journals, and has been editor in chief of the American Journal of Clinical Oncology since 1977. He is co-editor of the Investigative Radiologist, the American Journal of Radiology, Cancer and Cancer Research.

In addition to his clinical and scientific work he is also an expert and promoter of art and music. Among memberships in many other institutions, he is dedicated to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. He has been awarded several times for his commitment to art and music, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art named the curatorship of Japanese Art in Dr. Brady’s honor. Dr. Brady was a founding member of the museum’s East Asian Art Committee (established in 1965) and a founder and former chairman of the Friends of the Museum.

This exhibition is underwritten in part by grants from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.

Artifacts pictured, from top: Seated Male Hollow Figure Holding His Head In His Right Hand, 600 B.C.-A.D. 400, Tumaco-La Tolita culture, Colombia/Ecuador, slipped earthenware, Gift of Luther Brady, M.D.; Seated Male Hollow Figure, Terminal Preclassic period, 300 B.C.-A.D. 250, Colima culture, Colima, Mexico, slipped and painted earthenware, Gift of Luther Brady, M.D.; Kneeling Male Figure On Rectangular Base, 350 B.C.-A.D. 400, Jama-Coaque culture, Ecuador, slipped and painted earthenware, Gift of Luther Brady, M.D., 2006.16.12

To download a PDF file of the press release, click here.