Step Into the Life & Legacy of Eric Pape
ERIC PAPE.
America’s forgotten master, rediscovered in full brilliance.
Eric Pape was a visionary American artist whose work spanned grand historical scenes, intimate portraits, and theatrical design. Celebrated in his time, yet nearly forgotten today, his life was marked by both acclaim and adversity.
This collection brings his legacy back to life, honoring a career shaped by brilliance, hardship, and an unrelenting pursuit of artistic truth.
Thursday, April 2, 2026
6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Remarks: 7:15 pm.
Refreshments will be served.
Opening Remarks
Dr. Gregory Conn & HCM Executive Director Linda Harvey
Guests of Honor
Dr. Gregory Conn & Dr. Sagrario Ortega
We cordially invite you to join us in commemorating the grand opening of Eric Pape: Fantasy Illustrations, a new fine art exhibition celebrating the work of Eric Pape (1870 to 1938), the distinguished artist and former Cape Ann resident.
Renowned for his masterful storytelling, Pape created iconic illustrations for Notre Dame de Paris by Victor Hugo, Fairy Tales and Stories by Hans Christian Andersen, The Arabian Nights, Tales of Wonder and Magnificence, and Shakespeare and the Heart of a Child by Gertrude Slaughter. His work bridges literature and imagination, bringing epic narratives and folklore to life with remarkable depth and theatricality.
This extraordinary exhibition is predominantly curated from the private collection of renowned conflict zone photographer Bruce Haley. These select works have not been publicly exhibited since Pape’s death in 1938. The exhibition also includes works from the private collection of Dr. Gregory Conn, widely regarded as the world’s leading Pape collector and biographer, as well as from the private collection of Lynn Ponte.
Together, these rare loans offer an unprecedented opportunity to experience the breadth and brilliance of Eric Pape’s fantasy illustrations, many of which have remained out of public view for nearly a century.
This exhibit coincides with the publication of Eric Pape: Fantasy Illustrations, a new exhibition catalog by Dr. Conn.
Eric Pape & The Players
Pape, known in the press as “The Master of the Pageant,” had a lifelong working interest in the theatre and produced set and costume designs for on and off-Broadway theatrical productions.
Pape was one of the earliest members of The Players, his membership having been seconded by his friend, Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain), in 1894. At the time of his death in 1938 he was the longest participating graphic artist with membership in The Players.
Eric Pape: The Fair God
This exhibition of art by Eric Pape includes many examples of Eric Pape´s hundreds of illustrations for Lew Wallace´s “The Fair God”, unseen publicly since the artist´s death in 1938. Including artworks on loan from private collectors.
A prelude to the publication of “Eric Pape: The Fair God” a new compilation of all of Eric Pape´s illustrations for books and magazines.
Eric Pape: His Life & Work
Step into the world of Eric Pape in this 40-minute documentary that traces his remarkable journey—from his early days as a gifted young artist, to his rise to fame, and the challenges he faced along the way.
Discover the passion, creativity, and complexity behind one of America’s forgotten masters.
Discover Eric Pape’s sweeping career through paintings, illustrations, and designs that captured his lifes work.
Eric Pape &
Civic Theatre of Cape Ann
Eric Pape, the visionary behind the 1909 Outdoor Pageant at Stage Fort Park, not only set the stage but became a model for future productions in the region. His collaboration and close friendship with Percy MacKaye infused the pageant with artistic intention and grandeur, leaving a lasting impact on the cultural landscape of Gloucester, Rockport, and Lanesville.
Historian, Leslie Bartlett delves into the rich history and artistic legacy of Eric Pape, exploring how his innovative approach continues to inspire outdoor performances to this day.