A one person exhibition by James J. Hennessey, Baltimore, closed a couple of weeks ago on October 28.  It was the final exhibit at the Antresian Gallery, a commercial space that attempted to make it in the tough Baltimore art market.

Robert Antresian closed shop at the end of October after giving his all to the gallery space on 36th St.  The store website is still up and running, and if you’d like to take a look, here is the link: http://www.antreasiangallery.com/ 

Historically, Baltimore has not been supportive of commercial galleries. One can only think of the many that have gone by the wayside in the past 20 years to recognize that this town is not the best place to show artwork.  The reasons for this apathy and failure are many and the discussion is much too long for this space.  What I’d like to do is showcase some of Jim Hennessey’s paintings, to give you an idea of the work of one significant Baltimore artist.   This is also an opportunity to thank the many people who came to Jim’s opening and to recognize those who bought many of his paintings and drawings from the exhibit. If only all Baltimore exhibits were as successful as this one was, we’d see more viable galleries in town!

The painting is titled, “Gianicolo,” 16.5″ x 18.5″

Hennessey’s landscape painting is of the Gianicolo, or in Latin the Janiculum, the second largest hill in Rome, Italy.  It is also the location of the American Academy in Rome, where Jim was in residence as a Fellow from 1962-1964.

The painting is available at:  http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370688527644&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT