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Morning on the White River is a 2013 painted diptych of a serene morning view of the White River in Indianapolis, IN. The paintings are located on the Eskenazi Health campus, near downtown Indianapolis, Indiana, and are part of the Eskenazi Health Art Collection.[1]

Description
Morning on the White River is a two-panel composition by artist Mason Archie that depicts a seldom-seen vista of the White River approximately ¼ mile from Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital.

While the paintings embrace the style of traditional realism, they feature a dreamlike or otherworldly quality that creates a transcendent experience for the viewer.[1] The artist achieves this effect by embracing Hudson River School techniques, an Impressionist palate, and integrating both Old Master and trompe l'oeil methods.

A single composition across two side-by-side panels, the paintings are oil on linen canvas. The canvas is stretched on frames built by the artist, varnished and mounted in exterior wooden frames. The paintings are currently displayed in the 6th Floor Intensive Care Waiting Room of the Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital Building.[1]

Historical information
Morning on the White River was commissioned by Eskenazi Health as part of the 2013 re-imagining of the health organization's historical art collection in celebration and service of the opening of a new hospital campus in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Of the commission, artist Mason Archie says, “I was excited about the opportunity to participate in this project because it is an honor to have my art viewed in a venue where it is part of the healing process. I was also excited because this project was in line with a project I started in 2007 for the Creative Renewal Arts Fellowship, which was to create works of art of waterways in the city of Indianapolis. I used the same concept for this project, which was to paint the waterway in such a way that it would give the viewer the impression that the scene was in the wilderness even though it is located in the heart of the city. After searching possible waterway scenes throughout the city, I settled on my location. First, I selected this scene because it was close to the location for Eskenazi Health. Second, it gave me a vast perspective and many elements of nature and signs that visitors enjoyed coming to this spot such as the worn path and the crude fishing pole props made from sticks that had been placed in the rocks located near the front edge of the painting. Lastly, it is a beautiful, peaceful, and calming scene that is evidence that it is a miracle of nature in how the river flows on its own while staying within the banks that holds its every current while all the trees give it statue and depth. It is a healing stream right in our city that I want viewers to feel its beautiful, peaceful, and calming effects. This was a project of great pride and passion for me. I am pleased to know that my work will play a part in the Art of Healing for all people.“

“My theme is based on the Eskenazi Health theme ‘Healing Streams’ and my personal series ‘Indianapolis Waterways’.” - Mason Archie[1]

Location history
Morning on the White River is located in the 6th Floor Robert & Gina Laikin Intensive Care Waiting Room of the Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital.[2]

Acquisition
Mega-Gem was loaned to the Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA) by the Carl Solway Gallery from 1994 to 1996. In 1997 the IMA Contemporary Art Society (CAS) undertook the effort to purchase the sculpture and acquire it for the IMA. CAS President Dee Garrett led the fund drive for Mega-Gem and worked with the IMA to sell miniature gem sculptures created by Torreano in order to raise money. The CAS donated Mega-Gem to the IMA at a gala in 1997 with John Torreano in attendance.

Mega-Gem was acquired by the IMA in 1997 with the accession number of 1997.6. It is credited as the Gift of Robert Shiffler, Contemporary Art Society Fund and Henry F. and Katherine D. DeBoest Memorial Fund. The value of Mega-Gem is unknown; however, prices for Torreano's work have ranged from $4,000 for smaller paintings to $30,000 for larger pieces.

Condition
The fading paint on the rosettes has been a cause for concern in the past. In 1996, in preparation for Mega-Gem's acquisition into the Indianapolis Museum of Art collection, the rosettes were returned to the artist for repainting.