archdiocese of philadelphia - Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary

ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA
OFFICE FOR COMMUNICATIONS
222 North Seventeenth Street ● Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-1299
Telephone (215) 587-3747 ● [email protected] ● www.archphila.org
For Immediate Release
March 21, 2014
Contact: Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
SAINT CHARLES BORROMEO SEMINARY ANNOUNCES SALE OF SELECTED
WORKS BY THOMAS EAKINS THROUGH CHRISTIE’S PRIVATE SALES
This action is the latest in a series aimed at fulfilling a plan for a more vibrant program of
priestly formation to meet the needs of seminarians as well as the people they will one day serve
in Philadelphia and throughout the country
Contextual Background
Last March, Archbishop Chaput announced a plan focused on the future viability and
sustainability of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary. Its stated goal was to bring a sense of energy
to the Seminary, its program of priestly formation, its program of permanent diaconate formation
and educational opportunities it offers for the general public through the Graduate School of
Theology.
The plan called for the Seminary to consolidate its entire operation. The College Division
program, currently situated on the lower side of the campus, is slated to move into vacant space
within the Theology Division buildings on the upper side of the campus over the next three to
five years as necessary renovations are completed.
As a result of this consolidation, the Seminary will retain 35 acres of land as well as sufficient
space for state-of-the-art classrooms, dormitories and offices. It will be positioned for future
growth to support up to 200 resident seminarians, all non-resident candidates discerning
vocations to the permanent diaconate and hundreds of full and part-time students enrolled in the
Graduate School of Theology, which offers graduate degrees and catechetical certificate
programs for clergy and the laity.
Last October, the Seminary engaged HHF, L.P. as a consultant for the potential lease or sale of
the buildings and property currently housing the College Division and announced that funds
realized from that process would be directed to the renovations called for in its plan for viability
and sustainability. At that time, it was stated that additional necessary funding would be derived
from the Heritage of Faith—Vision of Hope Capital Campaign, a new capital campaign focused
solely on the Seminary and the sale of select pieces of artwork from the Seminary's collections.
Today’s Announcement Regarding the Sale of Selected Pieces of Art
Today, Bishop Timothy C. Senior, Rector of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, announced that
the Seminary has entered into an agreement with Christie’s for the private consignment sale of
five works of art by Thomas Eakins in its collection including: The Right Reverend James F.
Loughlin (1902), Reverend James P. Turner (1900), James A. Flaherty (1903), Dr. Patrick
Garvey (1902) and Archbishop James Frederick Wood (1877). Most of these portraits feature
past faculty members, were gifts to the Seminary and have been in its care for over 80 years.
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The decision to sell these works comes with the approval of the Seminary’s Board of Trustees
after a year-long study conducted by a special Art Committee consisting of art specialists
familiar with the history and value of the collection as well as Seminary alumni and
administrators. Prior to coming to the conclusion to proceed with a private sale, the Seminary
earnestly explored the possibility of partnering with local museums and historical societies in the
hope that a cultural institution within the Philadelphia region would make an offer on these
paintings, but a willing partner could not be found. While the Eakins paintings represent the most
valuable portion of its collection, the Seminary will still maintain a substantial number of
religious works of art after their sale.
“The Seminary has long been a steward of these works, but this was the right time to seize
an opportunity to do what is best for the artwork and for the Seminary itself,” said Bishop
Timothy C. Senior, Rector of Saint Charles Borromeo. “We will keep many of the
paintings in our collection but the core mission of the Seminary is to form men for service
in the Priesthood. We are not a museum. Our hope is that as a result of this decision the
Eakins paintings will find a home where they can be well cared for and viewed widely by
people from across the country. What we’re doing is consistent with our overall efforts
reenergize the Seminary and focus on its mission while building for the future.”
Another painting by Eakins, The Translator, has been in the care of the Seminary since 1932 but
is owned by the American Catholic Historical Society (ACHS). ACHS has elected to place it for
consignment sale along with the pieces owned by the Seminary. Proceeds from the sale of The
Translator will revert to ACHS.
Two additional paintings are being consigned for sale by the Seminary. Bonham’s has been
engaged as the broker for the sale of Saint Peter’s Cathedral (undated) by Colin Campbell
Cooper and Sotheby’s will broker the sale of Archbishop Jadot (1976) by Alice Neel. All of the
artworks noted above have been removed from the Seminary and transferred to the custody of
the appropriate brokering party.
Future Announcements
Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary will continue to make public announcements as it reaches
milestones in the fulfillment of its plan for future viability and sustainability. As it works to repurpose the lower portion of its campus and renovate the upper portion, it will sustain ongoing
dialogue with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Lower Merion Township and the community.
The Seminary has served as a leading institution in the formation of Catholic men for the
Priesthood in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and dioceses throughout the country for over 180
years. As the Seminary evolves in the coming years, the four pillars of human, spiritual,
intellectual and pastoral formation will remain strong.
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Editor’s Note: For previous announcements regarding the future viability and sustainability of
Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, please visit the following links:
http://archphila.org/press%20releases/pr002125.php.
http://archphila.org/press%20releases/pr002262.php.
For general information on the Seminary, please visit www.scs.edu.
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