The Lannie Neal Art Collection at Haynes Galleries
A collection of antique and fine European artworks will soon be on view at Haynes Galleries in “The Lannie Neal Art Collection.” The show is compromised of the personal collection of Lannie Neal, Nashville-based interior decorator. Paintings, drawings, sculptures, and objets d’art from several centuries will all be on display and available beginning January 24 at Haynes Galleries in Franklin.
Over the last several decades, Neal has worked extensively with some of the most distinguished and discerning clientele in Nashville and the surrounding areas. Known for his impeccable, sophisticated taste, Neal has transformed homes through decor but also through art.
With a extensive client base Neal always kept a large inventory of fine art goods. Individual pieces were acquired during regular trips to Europe, particularly Italy and France. He would wander the shops and markets of the some of the world’s most historic cities picking out exemplary paintings, drawings, and historical items.
While the artwork was nearly always intended for a future client back home, Neal looked for artwork that appealed to his own aesthetic and style. Working mostly on instinct, Neal amassed an impressive collection saying “I would buy things that caught my eye as I went.”
The foundation of Neal’s collection is an Old World dream. Delicate pen & ink drawings of classical and religious scenes, careful studies of anatomy, painted portraits of long-forgotten nobles, etchings of picturesque ancient ruins are just some of the highlights. Viewing these works is like taking a stroll through several of European art history’s most notable styles including Neoclassicism and Romanticism.
But even though Neal admits to collecting mostly 16th, 17th, and 18th century Old Master artworks, there are also eye catching modern pieces in his collection. There are little paintings full of color and expressive brushstrokes, Surrealist inspired portraits, and still lifes that are beautiful in their simplicity.
Neal also did not always look abroad to fill his collection. He often turned his eye to artists in his own Nashville community. Artworks by Nashville-area artists Red Grooms, Jason Saunders, and renowned portraitist Michael Shane Neal are among those on view in the exhibition
Also among Neal’s extensive collection are a bounty of objets d’art and artifacts including carved cameos and pins, historical papers filled with elegant script, and religious santos figurines.
Those with an appreciation and love of art & history will revel in the Neal collection. It’s a carefully curated exhibition filled with interesting, diverse, and beautifully crafted items. Thanks to a lifetime of searching, Lannie Neal’s discerning eye has granted us an exceptional chance to take in a world-class collection in a single show.
