Museum welcomes famed painter's artwork

NORWALK — A gentle classical piano melody drifted through the Laning-Young Research Center on Sunday, providing a sophisticated soundtrack to a milestone cultural event. Dozens of attendees packed the intimate gallery space at 4 Case Ave. in Norwalk to witness the unveiling of an 1825 original portrait by French Romantic master Eugène Delacroix. The Framing the Firelands viewing event on May 17 juxtaposed the grandeur of a globally significant 19th-century masterpiece with the rich, localized history of the Firelands Museum. The historic donation bridges international art history with regional community preservation, securing a major cultural victory for north central Ohio. The rare portrait now resides in Ohio's oldest operating museum thanks to a profound act of local philanthropy. Renowned painter, sculptor, collector, and Norwalk native Martin Kline purchased the piece alongside his late husband from Doyle Auctions in New York specifically to bring it home. A hometown tribute Kline donated the masterwork to honor his mother. Mary Ruth Landoll Kline was a lifelong member of the Firelands Historical Society and a dedicated local historian. She kept a handwritten journal chronicling the daily challenges of bearing, feeding and nurturing 13 children, whom she considered her "gifts from God," while still championing the arts. "The greatest gift a parent can give you is the encouragement and affinity for the arts," Kline said during the event, noting that his mother actively pushed him to become an artist. "I gifted this work to the Firelands Museum in honor of my mother, Mary Ruth Landoll Kline, who was a lifetime supporter of the museum," Kline added. "I know how much the institution and its programs meant to her and I hope to enrich as well as broaden the collection with this addition." Kline grew up in Norwalk and developed an early passion for art during his high school years. He studied studio art and art history at Ohio University, graduating in 1983, before moving to New York in the late 1980s. While he currently resides in Dutchess County, New York, his roots remain firmly planted in Ohio. He is now widely known for his contemporary encaustic paintings, a challenging technique mixing pigment with heated and liquefied beeswax. Alongside the Delacroix, Kline gifted several of his own pieces to the museum, describing his style as containing "abstraction, but also elements of nature." He strategically exhibited his work alongside pieces from local high school art departments to create a dialogue between different generations of artists. He urged young local creatives to embrace education and history. "Do more and more to train yourself," Kline said, emphasizing that a true "drive to create art" must be present. He told aspiring artists it is important to create new work but also vital to "look at the past." The Delacroix masterwork The painting itself carries a storied provenance. It is an intimate portrait of Delacroix's nephew, Charles-Etienne-Raymond-Victor de Verninac, painted during the winter of 1825-26. The piece stands as the first painting by Delacroix to arrive and remain in North America, traveling with the young French diplomat until he died of yellow fever in New York Harbor in 1834. Delacroix remains a pivotal figure in art history, serving as a key leader in the Romanticism movement and a precursor to the Impressionists. Kline described him as one of the "greatest painters of the 19th century." Integrating an early 19th-century European masterpiece significantly expands the core preservation mission of the Firelands Historical Society. Founded by the society in 1857, the organization began collecting artifacts long before most modern institutions and now houses over 25,000 historical items. Curator and past president Diane Meyer expressed deep enthusiasm for the exhibit's potential to draw people in and garner broader support. She described the Delacroix viewing as "very unique" for Norwalk, giving residents a rare opportunity to see world-class artwork closely. "This painting brings change, something different to the museum," Meyer said, noting that she is "looking forward" and enjoys "looking at local talent." Expanding a historic mission The museum's vast archive already houses an eclectic mix of regional history, ranging from agricultural and archaeological relics to a painting of Norwalk founder Platt Benedict. It also showcases everyday history through the decades, such as antique telephones that once belonged to residents of Norwalk. However, space remains a critical issue for the growing collection. Trustee Anne Bristol emphasized the importance of the new acquisition while pointing toward the future. "We are so enriched that it has been donated to us," Bristol said. She noted the society plans a major expansion of the Laning-Young Research Center to showcase the thousands of artifacts currently hidden away in storage, including historic military uniforms. Board secretary Anne Day views the Firelands Historical Society as an "umbrella for smaller museums" in the region. She said the organization works tirelessly to "preserve the past" and hopes the Delacroix acquisition will help "make this a destination." Fundraising, word of mouth and community grants actively support these expansion efforts. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the board has noted increased support in the local community, including heightened interest and energy from younger locals. The archaeology department also sponsors summer digs for interested students, led by resident archaeologist and military specialist Matt Burr. Inspiring the community The community response to Sunday's unveiling proved overwhelmingly positive. Norwalk native and event attendee Judy Ashakih called the experience "speechless." "It is so fascinating to see the history on display back to the beginning," Ashakih said. Board member Nancy Gfell echoed this sentiment, praising the donation's ability to "bring history to life." "I am thankful to the family, Martin, for taking the time to visit and donate," Gfell said. "We want younger people to get engaged in history." The Firelands Historical Society will keep the Delacroix painting and Kline's contemporary works on display throughout the summer. June through August hours are Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. More information on exhibits, genealogy tracing and volunteer opportunities can be found on its website at firelandsmuseum.com.