Paintings by "Father of Paleo Art"
on Display
Knight's art exhibited on 50th anniversary of his death
by Cynthia Diaz

For decades, Charles R. Knight's works have inspired artists, scientists and popular culture. A collection of these works, from his earliest sketches to the last unfinished paintings before his death, will be included in The Charles R. Knight Collection: Celebrating the Life of Charles R. Knight, 1874-1953 from Feb. 6 to May 9 at the Arizona Museum of Natural History.

This display of Knight's works comes to the Museum at a very opportune time. Many of Knight's early murals can be found in The Field Museum of Natural History, the permanent home of the upcoming exhibit, A T. rex named Sue. Of coincidence also is that one of the most well known works of the late artist -- often referred to as the "father of paleo art" -- is entitled T. rex Facing Triceratops.

Knight was the first artist of record to study the fossils and anatomy of many extinct creatures, including dinosaurs, and bring them to" life" by fleshing out the bones in his paintings. The exhibit also includes some paintings never before on public display: landscapes Knight painted of Palm Beach, Florida that were used as backdrops for his paleo art.

A public reception will be held at the Museum on Feb. 6 from 6-8 p.m. at which time the artist's granddaughter, Rhoda Knight Kalt, will speak about her grandfather's works. Ms. Kalt will also be acknowledged for the donation of her grandfather's painting Mastodon, Horses and Glyptodon to the Southwest Museum Foundation

For more information e-mail cynthia.diaz@cityofmesa.org or call 480/644-4040. (Editors: electronic images of Knight's work are available in .jpg format on request.)

[Mesa Southwest Museum Press Release, February 5, 2004]

[Arizona's premier natural and cultural history Museum, the Arizona Museum of Natural History, explores the Southwest's history from the time before the dinosaurs to the present day. See the largest collection of dinosaur fossils in the state, visit a Spanish mission, look for the lost Dutchman's treasure, pan for gold in the History Courtyard, experience the diversity of Arizona's earliest inhabitants, see beautiful examples of Native American pottery, "star" in a made-in Arizona movie and much more. Things are always changing in the museum's temporary exhibition spaces, which feature exceptional exhibits on art, culture, history and science from around the world. The Arizona Museum of Natural History, located at 53 N. Macdonald Street, in downtown Mesa, is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays 1 to 5 p.m. The museum is closed on Mondays and all City holidays. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors (55+) and students with ID and $3 for children 3-12. Museum members and children under 3 are free. Please call the Arizona Museum of Natural Historyat 480.644.2230 or visit our Website at www.mesasouthwestmuseum.com for more information. The Arizona Museum of Natural History is a program of the City of Mesa's Arts and Cultural Division.]