The Henry James and American Painting exhibition
explored the rich and complex friendships between
writer Henry James, Isabella Stewart Gardner,
and American artists in their social circle including
John La Farge, James McNeill Whistler, and John
Singer Sargent through a wide variety of media—
paintings, photographs, manuscripts, books, and
letters. The exhibition design evoked an intimate
salon setting, with a large curtain drawn back with
gold rope and tassels, armchairs, a chaise lounge,
low tables, and a large carpet, inviting visitors into a
world where writing and the visual arts intersected
as expressions of creativity. In addition to the
exhibition design and layout, IKD was responsible
for graphic and lighting design.