Walsh Gallery Art & Artifacts Collections

“Marguerite Louppe and Maurice Brianchon: Mirrors of Midcentury French Culture” on view January 17 – March 9, 2018. Curated by William Corwin and David Hirsh

The Walsh Gallery enhances the intellectual life of Seton Hall University and the greater community through dynamic, interdisciplinary exhibitions of exemplary artistic and cultural value. Essentially a place of learning, the Walsh Gallery promotes Seton Hall’s Catholic mission by fostering the development of students into servant leaders through diverse programming in a collaborative environment. Adopted October 13, 2009

Scholarship is a major part of the museum and gallery community. The Museums Galleries Scotland organization created advice for museums and galleries to use in order to better serve the communities that they were created for. “Museum collections do not exist purely for the consumption of curious visitors… collections can also contribute invaluable information to research. Collections-based research can expand the limits of knowledge, re-appraise and revise existing knowledge, identify and investigate topics for exhibitions and provide depth and breadth to information about collections.” (n.d.)

Research contributions to museums include (according to the Museums Galleries Scotland):

• Research underpins every element of the museum, from acquiring and disposing objects to running educational activities.
• It contributes to developing temporary and permanent exhibitions.
• Collections care policies are shaped by research, as it develops our understanding of the appropriate materials for display, storage and treatment.
• Hidden histories can be uncovered, changing the way we interpret objects and increase our knowledge of collections.
• Research helps to maintain a museum’s vital reputation as a repository of reliable information and expertise, cementing the public’s trust in the institution.
• It keeps up with new developments and offers fresh insight into works, such as using DNA analysis to gain new information on ancient objects. (n.d.)

Your research at the Walsh Gallery also develops interpretations of collections, increases knowledge, give value to objects, as well as hold the gallery to an ethical standard based on your work.

“Research should be at the heart of everything a museum does. It is one of the fundamental, core activities of a museum.” (n.d.)

William F.J. Ryan, Seton Hall University Coat-of-Arms mid-20^th century, 2021.04.0001

Seton Hall Permanent Collection

This is the largest of the university’s various object collections and contains diverse materials such as paintings, engravings, prints, sculptures and various artifacts from numerous cultures and periods.  This collection can be interpreted through a multiplicity of thematic frameworks.  It can be helpful to come prepared with keywords such as sculpture, painting, engraving, artist name(s) or location name in addition to other important research themes or topics. 

Ch'ing Dynasty Peking Enamel Vase, 19^th century, Gift of Dr. Marvin Boris, 76.40.2

Wang Fang-Yu Collection of Asian Art

Wang Fang-yu was a professor of Chinese (Mandarin) language at Seton Hall University as well as a noted calligrapher and art collector.  He persuaded many notable collectors of Asian art to donate hundreds of paintings, ceramics, bronzes and textiles from China, Japan, Korea and India, in addition to other locales.  

Hellenistic Scale Lamp, 2^nd century B.C.E. - Ron D’Argenio Collection of Greco-Roman Coins and Antiquities

Ron D'Argenio Collection of Coins and Antiquities

This collection includes artifacts from Ancient Greece, Byzantium, as well as the Roman Republic and Empire.  In addition to the bulk of the collection which consists of coins, it also contains a limited number of oil lamps, statue fragments, chain links and brooches.  You can view a small selection of the collection on Google Arts and Culture.

Visit Us

As you enter the campus, stop at the gatehouse to obtain a parking pass and directions to the Walsh Library. The gallery is located on the first floor of the library. Enter through the rotunda and make a left; the gallery is at the end of this hallway.

For more information, please contact us at walshgallery@shu.edu. 

Groups

All groups of eight (8) or more persons must make reservations with the gallery staff. Please call (973) 275-2033 or e-mail the gallery director to reserve your date and time.

Gallery Hours

Monday - Friday: 10:30am - 4:30pm​

It is recommended that off-campus visitors call (973) 275-2033 to confirm gallery hours prior to visiting. 

Directions

Directions to the Walsh Gallery: By Car, By Bus, or By Train.

Use Google Maps to locate Seton Hall University and our campus map to find Walsh Gallery.

Accessibility

Entryway & bathroom are ADA accessible. Verbal descriptions of artworks and touchable artworks are also available on request whenever possible.