The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens presents Oh Say, Can You See: American Art from the West Foundation Collection . The exhibition, on view through January 2008, features 50 oil paintings by preeminent American artists from the nineteenth century through the early-twentieth century. The exhibition, featured in the Thomas H. Jacobsen Gallery of American Art, demonstrates The Cummer’s strong commitment to American art. “The Cummer is delighted to present such a significant collection of American art to our visitors. The artists represented in the collection are among the best known to collectors and scholars. Thanks to the West Foundation for the opportunity to increase awareness and appreciation of their work to a broad range of our constituents including area students,” said Museum Director, Maarten van de Guchte. Among the masterpieces in this collection is a gorgeous view of the Via Appia, the ancient section of the great Roman road that led to Southern Italy by the American artist John Linton Chapman. Several landscapes featured in the collection capture the Italian countryside, among them Albert Bierstadt’s View of Subiaco and Jasper Cropsey’s Ruins of Narni, exemplify the importance of Italy and the Grand Tour on the careers of nineteenth century American artists. William Bradford’s Shipwrecked off Labrador exemplifies the romance of the seas and the vitality of seaside art colonies. Still lifes and portraits add richness and complexity to this generous showing of great American art from the West Foundation Collection. Benjamin West’s Portrait of Captain Bethal and Rembrandt Peale’s General Erastus Root are portraits representing early American history painting through images of the meritocracy while Fredrick Batcheller’s Still Life demonstrates the persistence of American traditions. The West Foundation Collection displays a breadth of American art and the achievements of American artists through a diverse collection that encompasses landscapes, marines, still lifes and figurative oil paintings. Special programs and events for visitors throughout the show include exhibition tours, Family Day, Especially for Seniors Talks & Tea and Art Adventures on Saturdays. The exhibition is sponsored by Fidelity National Financial, Wachovia, JP Morgan Private Bank and the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville.