The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Painted limestone- Mentuhotep's II temple

My daughter and I visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on Saturday, December 6th, 2008. We had a wonderful day in the city. Our day started with a train ride from New Haven to Grand Central Station and then we took a taxi over to the Met.

The museum was exquisitely decorated for the holidays. The main attraction was a 20 ft. blue spruce tree decorated with antique ornaments located in the Medieval Sculpture Hall. At the base of the tree was a beautifully crafted 18th century Neapolitan nativity scene. It was just breathtaking! There was also a special holiday/religious themed exhibit entitled “Choirs of Angels: Paintings in Italian Choir Books, 1300-1500.”
(www.metmuseum.org/special/se_event.asp?)

There are numerous permanent collections, departments, and temporary exhibitions at the museum. One of my favorite parts of the museum was the section devoted to Egyptian Art. It is truly amazing: it houses over 36,000 objects dating from ca. 300,000 B.C. to the 4th century A.D. The collection was established in the early 1900’s, in which most of the artifacts came from several archeological digs undertaken by the museum. My favorite piece was a block of painted limestone from the sanctuary in the temple of the pharaoh Mentuhotep II from around 2000 B.C. I think it is so amazing how these people were able to erect such monolithic structures and paint such detailed paintings on the walls of their pharaoh’s tombs and temples before the advent of technology. One gets a sense of what daily life was like for both peasants and royalty in Egypt during this time period.
(www.metmuseum.org/works_of_Art/egyptian_art)


I also enjoyed the museums collection of European paintings, which ranges from the 14th to the late 19th centuries. One of my favorite paintings entitled “Young Woman with a Water Pitcher,” was created by the famous Dutch painter and inventor Johannes Vermeer (www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johannes_Vermeer). It depicts a young woman, washing a window while sunlight pours in through it. I was drawn to this painting because of its simplicity, as well as the fact that it depicts an event from an ordinary person’s life, not from a rich or powerful king, queen, or clergy member. Sometimes it is easy to forget when looking at paintings and portraits, especially those from European artists, just how important servants and trades people were to the upper classes and royal families.

The Florence Griswold Museum

"White Cottage in Autmn"

by Woodhill Adams

Krieble Gallery

I visited the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme, Connecticut, with my daughter on Saturday, December 13th 2008. My first impression of the museum was positive, especially upon arriving and seeing the beautifully designed mansion that once belonged to Florence Griswold and her family. I was amazed to hear that this museum started off not only as an early 19th century home, but was also a boarding school for girls, as well as a boarding house for artists during the early 20th century. It was tastefully decorated for the holidays, with a Christmas tree and antique decorations.

The museum consists of a few buildings. The Florence Griswold house is the heart of the estate and has been named “a national landmark” and is known for its painted wall panels and doors. On the other hand, the Krieble Gallery is a newer building that houses the museums gift shop and exhibits. One interesting feature is the walls that reflect natural sunlight that comes in through large skylights, which allows visitors to view the paintings in a similar manner similar to how the artists painted many of their pieces, which was outside, in a style known as “painting en plein air”. Another building of interest is the Hartman Education Center, which offers workshops, classes, and lectures to children and adults. (http://www.florencegriswoldmuseum.org/

Here is some background information about Florence Griswold that I found on the museums website. She was born on Christmas day in 1850 to wealthy New England merchant and his wife and died in December of 1937. The family enjoyed a very comfortable and privileged lifestyle until the onset of the Civil War, when the family ran into financial difficulties. Shortly after her father died, Florence and her mother and sisters turned their home into a boarding school for girls called the Griswold Home School, which ran for about fourteen years. During 1900, she decided to open her family home to artists, after Henry Ward Ranger approached her. Word of mouth spread and soon other artists came to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life and formed what is now known as the Lyme Art Colony and contributed to the growth of the American Impressionism movement. It was the area’s picturesque landscapes and simplistic way of life that captured the attention of the artists and became the focus of their artwork. Griswold served not only as the owner and manager of the estate, but also as a motivator for her artists; she supported their work and encouraged them to take risks and pursue their craft and passion.
(www.florencegriswoldmuseum.org/visiting/griswoldhouse.html)


One of my favorite paintings was a panel painted on west wall of the Griswold home. It is called “White Cottage in autumn” and was painted by Woodhull Adams (1854-1921). It depicts a beautiful, 19th century white colonial style home, a style of architecture that was popular during this time period in New England, against a backdrop of blue sky and colorful fall foliage. The contrasts in colors, as well as the simplicity of the country setting, made me feel as if I was actually standing right outside that house during the time in which it was painted. Also, it made me think of my old house, an blue colonial style home that had a beautiful tree in the front yard that would yield breathtaking shades of red, orange, and gold leaves during the fall.

As stated in my comments made on the class blog, my visit to this museum was very enjoyable and my daughter and I had a great time. The charming paintings, architecture, and Christmas decorations not only put us into the holiday spirit, but made us appreciate the rich culture and history of Connecticut.

The Yale Center for British Art

This museum experience took place on Saturday, November 30th 2008 at the Yale Center for British Art in New Haven, Connecticut. I visited this museum on the same day as the Yale University Art Gallery. As stated before in my other paper on the art gallery, it was as if I traveled around the world and through time in one day. While at this museum, my daughter and I were immersed in the art and culture of British society from the Elizabethan period onward.

The Yale Center for British Art has the largest collection of British art outside of the United Kingdom.[1] It was founded by well known philanthropist Paul Mellon, a Yale graduate who donated thousands of paintings and drawings from his own private collection that spanned several decades. [2] He and his family also provided funds for the construction of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., in addition to paintings from his own personal collection. [3] Today, this Yale museum houses an extensive collection of paintings, drawings, rare books and manuscripts, as well as sponsors a host of academic, scholarly, and cultural opportunities. [4]

One of the museum’s many highlights is the magnificent building that houses all of the amazing works of art. It was designed and completed by world-renowned architect, Louis I. Kahn in 1974.[5] This facility is made of steel beams and reflective glass, which gives the visitor the sense of “intimate galleries and the ability to view works in natural light.” [6] The museum only turns artificial light on days in which it is cloudy or at night.[7] In turn, each person gets to see the piece as it might have been seen by the artist or the patron for which the painting or drawing was made for.

There are four main permanent collections within the museum: paintings and sculptures, prints and drawings, rare books and manuscripts, and the library and photo archive. Each houses a variety of different types of art. The painting and sculpture exhibit includes about 2,000 paintings and 100 sculptures depicting British life from the end of the Middle Ages up through the present time.[8] Types of paintings include large portraits, landscape drawings, travel paintings of India and Pakistan, and scenes from Shakespearean plays. [9] One of the first British paintings Paul Mellon purchased was entitled “Pumpkin with a stable lad” by George Stubbs, a famous 18th century painter. [10] Other artists who are represented in this collection include John Constable and sculptors Stanley Spencer and Damien Hirst, to name a few. This was my favorite part of the museum. I was intrigued by the dimension, style, and stateliness of the paintings, especially the portraits. It felt as if the subject’s eyes followed you throughout your visit. This made me feel as if I was transported back to the time that the painting was created and could feel exactly what the individual felt as he or she sat for their portrait.

The prints and drawings collection includes about 50,000 examples of both watercolors and prints. [11] It highlights the development of British Graphic art and the British watercolor school in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. [12] Other areas of interest include architecture and caricatures, as well as characters from Shakespeare’s plays. One of my favorite watercolors is by J.M.W. Turner which is called “Steamboat in Storm.” I like this painting because of the contrast in colors used, as well as the in which the artist painted the clouds in the sky, which looks as if it is opening up to swallow the sea hole. On the other hand, I was also impressed by a black and white print by David Lucas, called “The Rainbow, Salisbury Cathedral,” because of the beautiful rainbow that extends over the church. It serves as a symbol of God’s enduring promise for peace and is shown beautifully by the contrast between the light and the dark ink, which only adds to its brilliance.

Even though I did not have a chance to see the other two departments within the museum, it is worth noting each one’s significance. For instance, the rare books and manuscripts collection includes about 30,000 titles, with some dating back to the 1600’s.[13] It is known for its array of illustrated “color-plate” books, which include sporting books, maps, atlases, art, and artists.[14] Also, they have a non-circulating reference library and photo archive that includes a myriad of books, publications, journals, and over 200,000 black and white photos of British artwork from around the world. [15]

Overall, my experience at the Yale Center for British Art was very enjoyable and quite intellectually and emotionally stimulating. I had been here once before with my daughter and we were both impressed the first time we went. Having a chance to go back again was wonderful because it gave me a chance to see things that I missed, as well as focus on pieces that caught my eye the first time. I would highly recommend this museum to anyone who wishes to gain a better understanding of British history and to see a world-class art museum that is so close to home.



[1] http://ycba.yale.edu/info/index.html
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
[5] http://www.ycba.yale.edu/information/info_architecture.html
[6] Ibid.
[7] Ibid.
[8] http://www.ycba.yale.edu/collections/coll_p-s%20index..html
[9] Ibid.
[10] Ibid.
[11] Ibid.
[12] Ibid.
[13] http://www.ycba.yale.edu/collections/coll_rb-m-index.html
[14] Ibid.
[15] http://www.ycba.yale.edu/collections/coll_library-index.html

The Yale University Art Gallery

My fifth art museum experience took place on Saturday, November 30th 2008 at the Yale University Art Gallery. This day was very exciting and eventful; it was as if I traveled around the world for free in one day. Before you even walk though the doors, you get a sense of the culture, history, and architecture that the museum is famous for.

The Yale University Art Gallery was founded in 1832, and houses over 185,000 works of art. This art gallery consists of four floors and is filled with many unique and beautiful pieces. Yale Art is in the processes of renovation and will be done in 2011.[1] [2]

Upon entering the first floor of the gallery you first come across many ancient sculptures dating back to the time of the ancient Romans. This sculpture is a portrait of the Roman emperor Caligula, who ruled from 37-41 A.D.

Our travels took us up to my favorite part of the museum, which is on the second floor. We entered into the world of African Art. These pieces of art were both striking and colorful. This collection began in 1937 and includes art from South of the Sahara.[3] There are as many as 1,000 pieces total, which are made from many different types of materials such as wood, metal, ivory, and ceramic.[4] My favorite piece was a male mask with a headdress. It was very exotic and made of wood feathers, cloth, hide, and pigments.[5]

My second favorite exhibition was the collection of Asian Art, which is composed of several thousands of artifacts from China, Korea, and Japan ranging from circa 500 B.C.E. to 1868 A.D. [6] I was amazed at the beautifully handcrafted pieces of pottery, paintings, and statues. One of my favorite pieces was a Chinese scroll entitled Ink Plum (ca. 1350s) by Wang Mian. It was painted at the end of the Mongolian period and depicts a plum tree branch in bloom.[7] The drawing is surrounded by exquisitely drawn characters on all four sides.

To the right of the ink drawing is a statue of the Buddha made from gray schist in, entitled “Seated Buddha is Meditation, from the 3rd century A.D. during the Kushan period in South Asia.[8] I like this statue because of its meditative position and the peaceful sensation I get while looking at it.




1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yale_University_Art _Gallery.
[3] http://artgallery.yale.edu/pages/collection/permanent/pc_african_over.html
[4] Ibid.
[5] Ibid.
[6] http://artgallery.yale.edu/pages/collection/permanent/pc_asian_over.html.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Ibid.

The New Britain Museum of American Art

My second museum experience took place on Saturday, November 15th at the New Britain Art Museum of American Art (NBMAA), New Britain, Connecticut. Looking at this museum from the outside was deceiving. But as soon as we walked though the doors, there was a feeling of knowing that a great and exciting experience was awaiting us.

As we walk up to the admissions desk, we were greeted by a cordial desk clerk, who gave us our admissions ticket, which turned out to be a sticker that said "where art meets life.” This was a great idea to ponder as we started our tour. If an individual wants a guided tour with a docent, you need schedule it ahead of time. However, the museum offers visitors a guided audio tour. You are given a hand held device that gives detailed information on the works of art the museum has to offer. This was very useful and I encourage anyone touring this museum to take this along with them.

Here is a little bit of history about The NBMAA. It was founded in 1903, and is known as a renowned art museum.[1] In fact, it is the oldest museum in the country to collect only American Art; it was designed and designated to be the first museum to have just American art, and is the only one in the country.[2] Due to great persistence, a man by the name of John Butler Talcott, who was also an industrialist produced resources to obtain modern oil paintings, with assistance from New York museums and galleries. [3] New Britain Museum of American Art know holds over 5,000 pieces of American Art from over three centuries.[4]

In 2006, the NBMAA added on an addition called the Chase Family Building, which was created by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted.[5] This 43,000 square-foot Chase Family Building was designed by award-winning Ann Beha Architect of Boston.[6] Also, there are gardens and outdoor sculptures that surround the building. There is a café that overlooks Walnut Hill Park.

On to the tour, the first piece of art work that came into sight was hanging from the ceiling was art work called a Dale Chihuly chandelier. This piece is called “Blue and Beyond Blue.” It is internationally renowned. Chihuly’s works are housed in over 200 museums worldwide.[7] This piece is mounted in the LeWitt Landing.

Next point of interest, only a few steps from the Chihuly’s chandelier, directly facing us on the wall, was made of every color imaginable. This work of art was called “The Gravity of Color”, by famous artist Lisa Hoke. While looking at this masterpiece from far away, it seemed as if it was made of pieces of plastic that were stuck together. As we got closer, we realized it was made of plastic cups of all different colors, flowing in a beautiful pattern. My first thought was how many cups she had to use to create this work of art. How fabulous! If you venture to NBMAA you can’t miss this: it covers one full wall and a half, from floor to ceiling.

The next artist that captured our attention was Thomas Hart Benton’s five murals that wallpapered the walls of an enormous room. The mural that intrigued me the most was the “Arts of the City.” This mural told the story of the Great Depression, 1932. This amazing picture took place when the stock market crashed in 1929, after Roosevelt won the presidential election, as well as when prohibition, and bootlegging of alcohol took hold of towns and cities. The titles of the other murals in the room were “Arts of the West,” which captured memories of when Benton was a small boy, born and raised in Neosho, Missouri. [8] He lived his adult life in Washington D.C., Chicago, Paris, and New York.[9] The next mural depicted Indian Art. This portrayed the way Benton had seen the Plain Indians, and their ways of life. [10] Last but not least, was a mural that told a story of how Benton came from political family. His father was elected to congress in 1896 and the family kept residence between Missouri and Washington D.C.[11] Memories from his political life style stayed with him throughout his life, which he made fun of in this mural. [12]

Upon completion of the tour, do not forget to grab a bit to eat at the Café and visit the gift shop. The food is good and the gifts are many. Remember to pick up the museum calendar; there are many great up coming events to attend.

[1] www.nbmaa.com
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Ibid.
[6] Ibid.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Ibid.
[9] Ibid.
[10] Ibid.
[11] Ibid.
[12] Ibid.

The Wadsworth Athenaeum

My first museum experience took place on Saturday, November 8th 2008, at the Wadsworth Athenaeum in Hartford, Connecticut. This was a very exciting place for both my daughter and I to visit, since we had never been there before. Upon arriving at the museum, I was amazed at the size and the architecture of the building, which is in the shape of a gothic style castle. It felt very mystical and exhilarating, as if I was walking into the pages of an Arthurian romance novel.

Once we entered the museum, we were greeted by a very friendly museum staff member, who later turned out to be our docent. We were lucky enough to have had arrived when we did, or we would have missed that afternoon’s tour. The subject/focus of the tour was “a search for an identity in early American artwork.” Our tour started out in the main lobby, with a brief introduction about the museum. Next, we viewed several paintings from the past three-hundred years, from the late 1700’s up until the early 1930’s. It was amazing to see how the artists from these different time periods were able to capture the spirit and essence of American life and culture.

One of the first things I learned was that the Wadsworth is the oldest, continually operating museum in the country. It was built in 1842, by a man named Daniel Wadsworth, who was the son of a wealthy Connecticut merchant. He had started his collection in the early 19th century, with artwork ranging from Renaissance paintings to modern American master pieces. Also, this institution originally included additional Neo-Gothic buildings, such as the Connecticut Historical Society and the Hartford Public Library. Today, it houses over 50, 000 works of art in both permanent collections and exhibitions.[1]

One of the paintings that impressed me the most was the “The Declaration of Independence” by John Trumball, which I will describe in more detail throughout the rest of this paper. It was commissioned in 1817 by the United States Senate and was later hung in the Rotunda at the U.S. Capital in 1826. The purpose of this work was to commemorate this momentous historical event in our country’s history, when our founding fathers signed a document that would give Americans both personal and religious freedom. According to the Yale University Art Galley, Thomas Jefferson is thought to have given Trumball a first hand account of what happened on that historic day.[2] Although the scene depicted is not quite accurate (since not all members of the committee were present during the signing), it embodies the entire process that the colonies went through in order to gain independence from England, resulting in the formation of our country, the United States of America. It communicates a message of hope and promise to future generations, that all people have the right to live their lives the way they see fit, regardless of race or social status.

Trumball was born on June 6, 1756 in Lebanon, Connecticut and died in 1843. He was born into a wealthy and politically important family; his father was the Governor of Connecticut for several years.[3] He attended Harvard at the age of fifteen and it was here that he decided to pursue his love of drawing and painting.[4] After serving as an aide to George Washington in the American Revolution, he went on to study with Benjamin West, who is considered to be one of the most influential artists and teachers of art during the 18th and 19th centuries. [5] It was from his mentor, as well as his first-hand eyewitness accounts of important battles in the war, that lead this artist to cultivate his talent for historical painting.[6] John Trumball went on to become a very famous and accomplished artist, despite the fact that he lost sight in one of his eyes.[7]
In terms of the actual painting itself, the first thing I noticed was its size. The enormity of the piece helps to convey the magnitude of the event taking place on the canvas. One feels as if they are actually sitting in the Assembly Room in Independence Hall, while Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Robert R. Livingston, and Roger Sherman presented the signed Declaration of Independence to Congress.[8]

What is also so striking about this painting is the fact that each of the forty-eight individuals is unique and depicts a real person who lived during this time period and was involved in this important process. The materials the artist used were oil paints and a canvas. His use of light helps illuminate the subjects in the painting, as well as draws attention to the colors and style of the men’s clothing, which is accurate for both the time period and their social class. The amount of detail involved in drawing and painting each person is amazing, given the fact that each one is drawn almost true to form, right down to the body-type and stature. It is interesting to note that several people from my tour group, including myself, were able to identify some of the men just by looking at the painting, which is a testimony to Trumball’s great talent and craftsmanship.





[1] http://www.wadsworthathenauem.org/.
[2] http://artgallery.yale.edu /pages/collectionpopups1pc_amerps/details01.html.
[3] http://www.wikipedia.org/.
[4] Ibid.
[5] http://www.artcyclopedia.com/
[6] Ibid.
[7] www.wikipedia.org
[8] http://www.artcyclopedia.com/