For Immediate Release
December 21, 2023
CLARK ART INSTITUTE PRESENTS
WHEN JUSTICE FAILS: AN EXPERT DISCUSSION
BY MARK HOWARD
Williamstown, Massachusetts—On Saturday, February 10 at 2 pm, the Clark Art Institute presents a talk by Marc Howard, Professor of Government and Law at Georgetown University. This free lecture takes place in the Clark’s auditorium, located in the Manton Research Center.
One of the nation’s leading advocates for criminal justice and prison reform, Howard discusses historical and contemporary perspectives on what constitutes fairness in the justice system through an examination of the Clark’s newly acquired drawing The Painful Fairwell, or Lesurques’s Farewell to His Family (c. 1796–1802) by Hilaire Ledru. The drawing depicts the imprisoned Joseph Lesurques (1763–96), whose name in France is synonymous with judicial error. In a case of mistaken identity, Lesurques was convicted of a murder-robbery he did not commit and was guillotined. His wrongful execution helped inspire Victor Hugo’s campaign against capital punishment decades later.
Free. Accessible seats available; for information, call 413 458 0524.
Admission to the Clark is free through March 2024.
ABOUT THE CLARK
The Clark Art Institute, located in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts, is one of a small number of institutions globally that is both an art museum and a center for research, critical discussion, and higher education in the visual arts. Opened in 1955, the Clark houses exceptional European and American paintings and sculpture, extensive collections of master prints and drawings, English silver, and early photography. Acting as convener through its Research and Academic Program, the Clark gathers an international community of scholars to participate in a lively program of conferences, colloquia, and workshops on topics of vital importance to the visual arts. The Clark library, consisting of some 300,000 volumes, is one of the nation’s premier art history libraries. The Clark also houses and co-sponsors the Williams College Graduate Program in the History of Art.
The Clark, which has a three-star rating in the Michelin Green Guide, is located at 225 South Street in Williamstown, Massachusetts. Its 140-acre campus includes miles of hiking and walking trails through woodlands and meadows, providing an exceptional experience of art in nature. Galleries are open 10 am to 5 pm Tuesday through Sunday, from September through June, and daily in July and August. Admission is free January through March and is $20 from March through December; admission is free year-round for Clark members, all visitors age 21 and under, and students with a valid student ID. Free admission is also available through several programs, including First Sundays Free; a local library pass program; and EBT Card to Culture. For information on these programs and more, visit clarkart.edu or call 413 458 2303.
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