Not Your Average Museum

This week my museum experience led me to the Burt Chernow Galleries, Housatonic Museum of Art in Bridgeport, CT. It was quite different from my other museum experiences as the gallery was smack in the middle of Housatonic Community College. At first I wasn’t impressed and I started to turn around and leave. But I quickly decided to stay since I was already there. I took a chance and I am so happy that I did.

I approached the small gallery on the first floor and entered a room where I was surrounded by what looked like sketches. There were religious prints and landscapes etched and engraved on laid paper from the Rembrandt collection and other 17th century printmakers. I walked to the back of the small gallery and wondered if this was the end of the art and began to dread my decision to stay. I poked my head out into the hall and lining the halls were paintings.

I wasn’t sure if this was part of the gallery but I followed the path of art anyway. In circles I went snapping photos of bright, beautiful oil paintings, a sculpture that resembled a ship laying on it’s side, a wooden sculpture, there were paintings all along the hallways. Very interesting, I thought to myself. I kept going since no one stopped me, inside the stairwells I went until I found myself on the second floor where there were more paintings and sculptures. I mean they were everywhere you looked. In the president’s office, yes I peeked there also, surrounding the student lounge, in between restroom doors (not your typical place for art), outside of classrooms, I even had to excuse myself a few times as students rushed by me to get to their classes. In the midst of the hustle and bustle, I had forgotten where I was for a

moment as each new piece reeled me in. So many questions began to run through my mind. Were the paintings done by the students? Does the art promote a better learning atmosphere? Why wasn’t this the norm in all colleges? It was a refreshing experience that I am happy I didn’t pass up. The painting that grabbed my attention, the one that I really liked was The Wall. It is a 40” x 50” oil painting done on canvas by Leonard Everett Fisher. It was a really simple piece but I loved the shadowed image of the man reaching for the sky trying to get to the moon that is partially blocked by this stone wall. For me it symbolized my journey towards earning my

bachelors degree. I see it, it looms above me but in order for me to get there, I must climb the wall of classes, leaving the shadow of my past behind me while balancing my work life and home life. I won’t look too far ahead of me for there are shadows of challenges and obstacles but one step at a time and I am almost there. Anyway, enough about my goals, this was the first time that I had seen a painting where the majority of the picture was done in shadows. I think that the artist did an excellent job of bringing in the light in the midst of darkness and it turned out to be a very positive piece. Now I don’t know if my interpretations were the author’s intent. I wonder about the gap in the wall, what does that space represent? Perhaps it is hope seeping through and encouragement from outside sources. It could mean a lot of things. That’s another reason I liked it, you can apply it to so many aspects of your life.
Like my previous museum visits this mod, I really enjoyed myself. Each new piece told a different story and my imagination soared. It’s like an out of body experience that I recommend to everyone. I am glad that I have had the opportunity to tap into my “artsy” side.

This weekend I visited the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art located in downtown Hartford, CT.

The Wadsworth which was founded in 1842 is one of the country’s oldest public art museums. The large collection consists of American and European paintings, sculptures, photographs and decorative arts.

I ventured up to Hartford on a beautiful day and like one of the other students mentioned in their blog, I spent more time there than I had planned on The museum which resembles a castle was beautiful and large.

I toured the first, second, third and fourth floors and finally had to take a rest. I was overwhelmed because I liked so many of the pieces and as I browsed from one piece to the next, the stories from the art, consumed me.

After my brief rest, I collected myself and my things and headed over to the piece that intrigued me the most.

I headed back to the European art collection to “The Feast of Herod”. The oil painting was completed in 1531 by a German artist named Lucas the Elder Cranach. The painting is done on panel that measures 32x47 ⅛ inches.

The painting shows Salome pictured with platter in hand, presenting the head of St. John the Baptist to King Herod. Apparently Salome was a dancer for King Herod and as a reward for her performance, he promised her the head of St. John. Now it’s just my guess but I think that King Herod’s henchman must have delivered the head to Salome and she decides to show off her prize to Herod. She dresses up in her most beautiful dress, covers her hair with a jewel studded wrap, applies her makeup and adds the final touch of her exquisite jewelry and heads over to the castle. Herod is clearly not expecting this spectacle as he is about to eat dinner with a few friends. Salome saunters into the dining hall and causes a scene.

I don’t know what exactly caught my eye first, perhaps it was the head on the platter (go figure) but I also think that the strong colors drew me in. The deep greens, blues and reds in the background contrast well with the bright white from the tablecloth. There was a crackled texture on the surface that represents authenticity and age. Cranach must have taken a great deal of time to add such great details to the clothing. From the tucks and ruffles in the gowns and robes to the pearls that adorn the gowns and necklines of Solome and the seated guest.

Cranach also did a very good job with the facial expressions, they were hilarious and individually they told a story. King Herod looks surprised and uneasy. There also seems to be a bit of fear in his eyes.
Cranach depicts St. John’s suffering well with the mouth slighted opened and the life-less, distressed eyes, and although he’s dead and decapitated, there’s not a hair out of place. Salome’s expression is one of confidence and she is clearly undistracted by the guest’s reaction. Salome’s posture adds a great touch as well and the shadow effect of her body and Herod’s presence on the tablecloth is pretty neat. The servant looks like he has seen this type of thing countless times, the standing guests are scared to look at Herod because this is embarrassing and as for the seated guests, the gentleman is disgusted as he points to the head and well the lady, she is wishing that she stayed at home.

I thought that it was interesting to know that this subject was popular during the 16th century. It served as an example of the power of women over men.

I really enjoyed the museum and I cannot wait to visit again with my family. In addition to the permanent collections they had exhibits on Race and Sport in America, presented by the Amistad Center for Art and Culture and Again, a catalogue of photographs depicting poverty in America from collector Mickey Cartin just to name a few.

Yale Center for British Art

This weekend I visited the Yale Center for British Arts located in New Haven. The center, which has four floors has the largest collection of British art outside of the United Kingdom. Their collection consists of paintings, sculptures, drawings, photographs and rare books. Here are a few pictures from the permanent collection…

"The Death of Lucretia" Based on the ancient myth by Gavin Hamilton. Excellent use of color and expression.

Belshazzar's Feast and the message on the wall. I love the way the light shines from the moon and how the message illuminates the entire hall.....powerful stuff

A closer look at an evening gone wrong.

A comical look at the Twelth Night, Act III, Scene iv. Ramberg did a wonderful job with the characters, they take on a life of their own. Their expressions really add humor to the piece. The bright, bold colors really flow throughout the painting. I love the way that the monkey has the same gesture as the servant who is professing his undying love for Olivia. The illusion of the light reflecting off of the vase adds a great touch.

For me Olivia's dress really stands out. It looks so much like satin. I also love the dog's expression, barred teeth, he looks like he might lunge if Malvolio comes any closer.

Here's another painting that stood out.....

Cottage on fire... the color from the fire really pops. The trees cast an eery shadow as the moon beams through the trees.

My trip to the Yale Center for British art turned out to be a good one. I was really impressed by the oil paintings and the stories that each of them told. I even took some time to check out the Art and Emancipation in Jamaica exhibition but unfortunately couldn't take any pictures. It wasn't allowed. But I did enjoy the manuscripts, sketches, video and paintings.

I even took a cool flick of the view from the fourth floor.