Wells Gallery gains new art

Antique engravings date to 1607

Wells Gallery, Trine University’s repository for art and historic print materials, gained framed antique engravings this week, thanks to an alumnus and Trine’s American Criminal Justice Association (ACJA) chapter.

Trine American Criminal Justice Association chapter members Alison Bonham, left, chapter president Corey Cox, center, and Zack Ackerman unveil antique 17th century engravings donated to Wells Gallery Nov. 21. The ACJA chapter raised funds for the framing and matting of the engravings for hanging.

Walter Cunningham, BSBA 1955, a long-time supporter of the university’s Humanities Institute, spearheaded the acquisition of two engravings taken from “The Exercise of Arms,” a 300-year old manual of armament created by Belgian painter, draftsman and printmaker Jacques de Gheyn II in 1607.

Conceived as a military handbook for the infantry, the manual contained 117 designs illustrating the use of the smallshot, the musket, and the pike. One of the Trine engravings depicts a soldier focusing on the task of lighting his musket fuse, while dressed in the uniform of the day— a plumed hat, striped pantaloons, and high boots, with powder charges strung across his chest.

Professor Craig Laker, chair of the Department of Criminal Justice, Psychology & Social Sciences, asked his ACJA students to help raise funds for the matting and framing of the engravings. Chapter members Corey Cox, Alison Bonham, and Zack Ackerman unveiled the results before faculty and staff members at a reception in Wells Gallery Nov. 20.

Senior English major Stephanie Kaiser created invitations and illustrated histories of the engravings, and organized the event, which included refreshments with cookies made from 17th century recipes.

Trine University Department of Language & Humanties professor Dr. Tom Tierney announced for the presentation. The engravings will take their place on the gallery walls early next semester, he said.