In service
to the community
Project: MATTHEW ECCLES PHOTOGRAPHY Archive
What:
The Museum at Central School in Kalispell received 90 boxes, approx. 1000 individual images of photographic negatives on glass plates by the little-known photographer Matthew Eccles, who worked in the Flathead Valley in Montana during the early 1900’s.
The images show an unusual perception for human character and environment in a style similar to world renowned German photographer August Sander, famous for his portfolios “People of the 20th Century”
Mr. Eccles, a self-taught photographer and lumberjack documented early settlement life in the Flathead Valley with a keen eye for progress, commerce and history of the inhabitants of North Montana.
Why:
After close examination, we decided that the potential for establishing artistic value is real and worth developing further. Similar works by August Sander, who worked during the same period as Mr. Eccles are selling at Sotheby’s auctions in the six-figure range, and are collected by MOMA and the Getty Museum.
Necessary archival and preservation work needs to be performed to further evaluate and protect the glass plates which were stored over various periods in questionable conditions.
The negatives are being scanned to obtain a means of visualizing the opus and the extent of physical damage which has occurred over the years. Eventually, the images must be printed by the old darkroom techniques of wet processing to establish a congruent representation of Mr. Eccles work.
His work represents a highly personal reflection of the times when new frontiers and technologies were opened by the pioneers and early citizens of the Flathead Valley. He not only documented the local population, but his interpretation and means of eliciting expressions by juxtapositions of various elements goes beyond mere recording with the then new technology of photography and exposes his artistic talent long hidden behind the daily labor of a saw- mill operator.
His observations and dedication to his métier, apparently on a part-time basis, resulted in a collection of images which deserves the highest attention. Not only to add his name and work to the roster of famous artists in Montana (potential for national and even international recognition).
How:
Funds are needed to permit the essential research, preservation, publication and placement of the work on the national and international Art Market.
Research:
Historical meaning: people, places, events
Intent of the photographer, personal character, education, training, where and how did his unusual skills begin and develop, how did he affect other photographers, (there were about 15 other photographers working in the area) his family and inhabitants of Northwest Montana
Preservation:
Conditions of the fragile glass negatives, which have been stored in basements and attics under less than optimal conditions, now stored in the Museum’s controlled archives, need to be closely examined to prevent further damage from continued threats by mold, chemical contamination and damage by friction or inappropriate handling.
Production and marketing:
Decisions on production of photographic (non-digital) prints; necessary final finishing for exhibitions and other exposure (retouching, mounting, framing, sizing)
Publication of Biographies
Placement of appropriate works in museums, exhibitions, and publications
Art reviews by respected experts
Catalogue raisonne
Recording of the totality of the Artist’s work
Who:
William B. Brooks, Curator of Photographs, responsible for coordination, supervision and practical execution of all aspects of establishing the photographer Matthew Eccles in his rightful place as an important artist in the history of Montana and to secure funding for the project.
Where:
Museum at Central School, Kalispell, Montana
