Grace Hartigan, “The-The #1,†1962, courtesy of the New York State Office of General Services.

An exhibition commemorating the 100th birthday of former New York Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller (July 8, 1908⁊anuary 26, 1979) is on view through October 12 at the Empire State Plaza and New York State Museum, showcasing selected artwork, the governor’s official car, campaign memorabilia and other items reflecting Rockefeller’s passionate interest in art, politics and architecture.

“Rockefeller at 100” is a four-part exhibition made possible by a collaboration among the State Museum, State Archives, State Library, Office of Public Broadcasting and the Office of General Services Plaza Art Collection.

Seymour Lipton, “The Empty Room,†1964, courtesy the New York State Office of General Services.

The exhibition reflects Rockefeller’s lifelong interest in art and architecture. As governor he wanted to create the most beautiful state capital in America †a capital that would reflect the Empire State’s political and cultural importance.

He hired renowned architect Wallace K. Harrison, who had designed Rockefeller Center, Lincoln Center and the United Nations Building. They envisioned the Empire State Plaza as a monumental seat of government and culture, which would include an impressive collection of modern art. A serious art collector himself, Rockefeller was determined to bring art out of the sanctity of a museum to a larger public audience.

Selected artwork, acquired by Rockefeller for the Plaza Art Collection, will be displayed on the museum’s fourth floor Terrace Gallery. Works will include an Andy Warhol painting, “Portrait of Nelson Rockefeller,” loaned to the collection by Mrs Nelson (Happy) Rockefeller. The works reflect the former governor’s interest in the New York School of Art.

The modern art collection consists of mostly abstract works created in the 1960s and 1970s by artists who were members of the New York School.

In the first floor lobby of the Cultural Education Center, the architectural model of the Empire State Plaza will be on display. Construction began in 1965 and the Plaza was completed in 1978, at a cost of $1.7 billion.

Campaign memorabilia covering Rockefeller’s four political campaigns for governor, from the museum and State Library’s William E. Winnewisser Collection, will be on display in the Museum’s West Gallery corridor.

Rockefeller campaign flier, 1958, courtesy the New York State Archives.

The State Museum is a program of the New York State Education Department, the University of the State of New York and the Office of Cultural Education.

For information, 518-474-5877 or www.nysm.nysed.gov .