Anyway, here are some pics from the exhibit which runs through January 15:
Showing posts with label art. Show all posts
Showing posts with label art. Show all posts
Monday, October 23, 2017
Frederic Church at the DIA
The latest exhibit at the Detroit Institute of Arts not only has Monet, but also Frederic Church. I'll be completely honest and say that I only know of Church's work from watching Antiques Roadshow. This video link is rather impressive. Wish I had something like that in my basement.
Anyway, here are some pics from the exhibit which runs through January 15:
Anyway, here are some pics from the exhibit which runs through January 15:
Sunday, October 22, 2017
Monet at the DIA
How I spent my Saturday:
Monet painting of dahlias in Argenteuil, above
This is a Renoir painting of Monet painting the picture directly above this one.
Monet's son and wife at home
A DIA Monet long titled 'Gladioli' that has now been retitled 'Rounded Flower Bed' after research on its provenance.
Saturday, April 22, 2017
S - Steen Castle, Antwerp, Belgium
I did not go to Antwerp to see the Castle, but Steen, or Stone, Castle is hard to miss even though it is much smaller than it used to be. It dates to the 13th Century. The building now serves as a maritime museum.
One of four Rubens paintings in the cathedral, The Raising of the Cross
Churches and art are two of the things I enjoy viewing on vacations. I do not believe one has to be religious to enjoy viewing churches and their artwork. Castles, churches, art museums, gardens...What is your pleasure?
Bonus: Daylily 'Siloam Amazing Grace'
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
My Favorite Reads of 2016
I will have read over 70 books before this year comes to an end. I thought I would list my top ten reads, but when I went back over the list, I settled on the top five. Not that I didn't enjoy many of the books, just that they were not outstanding and not worth giving a big 'thumbs up'. So, with no reviews on my part, but links to online reviewers, here are my top five:
1. Selling Russia's Treasures: The Soviet Trade in Nationalized Art, 1917-1938
I was disappointed when I visited the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia. Where was all the great art? The buildings were incredible, but not the art experience. When I came home, I happened to read the 2006 book The Madonnas of Leningrad. That led me to trying tofind out more about the selling of Russian art. And that search led me to this book. I borrowed it from the Michigan library service. It was so fascinating, that I ended up purchasing the book for my collection. It is fascinating reading and the pictures are superb. I now want to go back the the National Gallery and see the pictures that once hung in the Hermitage and elsewhere in Russia. I've already been fortunate enough to see several of the Faberge eggs held in American collections.
2. Stealing the Mystic Lamb by Noah Charney
Stealing, selling? What's the difference if it is not yours? This is another book about art. Earlier this year I was in Ghent, Belgium. I was there for one purpose: to see the Ghent Altarpiece in St. Bavo's Cathedral. Since no photography was allowed, I am using the pic from Wikipedia:
The story of the stealing, recovery, re-stealing, re-recovery, etc. is just fascinating. What was more fascinating was the story of how art has been stolen in war for centuries, a story which we are all too familiar with, where even now great works of art are being destroyed in war.
These last three selections are works of fiction by three of my favorite authors.
3. The Black Widow by Daniel Silva
If you have never read Daniel Silva, I highly recommend you start at the beginning of his Gabriel Allon series, the stories of an Israeli Mossad agent. I've heard that Silva may be coming here for a visit next year and I sure hope I am around to see him.
4. The Wrong Side of Goodbye by Michael Connelly
This is the latest in the Harry Bosch series. I like Harry almost as much as I like Gabriel. I am not overly fond of his half-brother, Mickey Haller aka the Lincoln Lawyer, but Mickey helps out in this book. I love how Connelly has two separate stories going on at the same time and wraps up both of them by the end of the book. Connelly was here for a visit a few years ago. Alas, I was out of town.
5. Home by Harlan Coben
My son introduced me to Harlan Coben years ago with the novel Tell No One (2001). I was hooked. I have since read all of his books. 'Home' brings back Myron Bolitar. Not my favorite kind of 'detective', but he gets the job done and there is always great humor. It also has some first person narrative by his friend Will and at first I was confused since we have never seen anything from his viewpoint before. A good read with a surprise ending (well, I didn't see it coming).
Did you read any outstanding books this year? Happy reading.
1. Selling Russia's Treasures: The Soviet Trade in Nationalized Art, 1917-1938
I was disappointed when I visited the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia. Where was all the great art? The buildings were incredible, but not the art experience. When I came home, I happened to read the 2006 book The Madonnas of Leningrad. That led me to trying tofind out more about the selling of Russian art. And that search led me to this book. I borrowed it from the Michigan library service. It was so fascinating, that I ended up purchasing the book for my collection. It is fascinating reading and the pictures are superb. I now want to go back the the National Gallery and see the pictures that once hung in the Hermitage and elsewhere in Russia. I've already been fortunate enough to see several of the Faberge eggs held in American collections.2. Stealing the Mystic Lamb by Noah Charney
Stealing, selling? What's the difference if it is not yours? This is another book about art. Earlier this year I was in Ghent, Belgium. I was there for one purpose: to see the Ghent Altarpiece in St. Bavo's Cathedral. Since no photography was allowed, I am using the pic from Wikipedia:
The story of the stealing, recovery, re-stealing, re-recovery, etc. is just fascinating. What was more fascinating was the story of how art has been stolen in war for centuries, a story which we are all too familiar with, where even now great works of art are being destroyed in war.
These last three selections are works of fiction by three of my favorite authors.
3. The Black Widow by Daniel Silva
If you have never read Daniel Silva, I highly recommend you start at the beginning of his Gabriel Allon series, the stories of an Israeli Mossad agent. I've heard that Silva may be coming here for a visit next year and I sure hope I am around to see him.
4. The Wrong Side of Goodbye by Michael Connelly
This is the latest in the Harry Bosch series. I like Harry almost as much as I like Gabriel. I am not overly fond of his half-brother, Mickey Haller aka the Lincoln Lawyer, but Mickey helps out in this book. I love how Connelly has two separate stories going on at the same time and wraps up both of them by the end of the book. Connelly was here for a visit a few years ago. Alas, I was out of town.
5. Home by Harlan Coben
My son introduced me to Harlan Coben years ago with the novel Tell No One (2001). I was hooked. I have since read all of his books. 'Home' brings back Myron Bolitar. Not my favorite kind of 'detective', but he gets the job done and there is always great humor. It also has some first person narrative by his friend Will and at first I was confused since we have never seen anything from his viewpoint before. A good read with a surprise ending (well, I didn't see it coming).
Did you read any outstanding books this year? Happy reading.
Sunday, November 20, 2016
Bitter Sweet: Coffee, Tea and Chocolate
Yesterday I went to the member's preview of the new exhibit at the Detroit Institute of Arts. It is called Bitter Sweet and is all about my favorite drinks: coffee, tea and chocolate. Today I thought I would share my photos with you as it was much encouraged - unusual for a special exhibit. Pictures are being posted on Instagram (by others, not me) with the hashtag 'sipthestory'.
I learned something new as soon as I entered. Did you know that not only did homo sapiens originate in Africa, but so did coffee. I always think of Juan with his donkey and South America. but other drinks originated there - a future post. Then I remembered that I have purchased Ethiopian beans in the distant past when I ground my own - before my coffee maker needed replacing and I switched to a Keurig single cup brewer - which makes more sense for one person.
Here is coffee in pictures:
Years ago an Iraqi friend of mine had his aunt make some coffee for me, a coffee similar to Turkish coffee. All I can say is 'ugh'. It was so thick I could hardly drink it - well, I didn't as I recall. One of my cousins married a girl from Naples, Italy and we would joke that the spoon could stand up by itself in her coffee.
I just love this coffee pot.
This coffee grinder is a tad more fashionable than the one I used to use.
Below are some of my Pickard collection:
I have never used these two little demitasse cups. I think it must have been annoying to have to keep refilling them. Next installment is all about tea.
I learned something new as soon as I entered. Did you know that not only did homo sapiens originate in Africa, but so did coffee. I always think of Juan with his donkey and South America. but other drinks originated there - a future post. Then I remembered that I have purchased Ethiopian beans in the distant past when I ground my own - before my coffee maker needed replacing and I switched to a Keurig single cup brewer - which makes more sense for one person.
Here is coffee in pictures:
Years ago an Iraqi friend of mine had his aunt make some coffee for me, a coffee similar to Turkish coffee. All I can say is 'ugh'. It was so thick I could hardly drink it - well, I didn't as I recall. One of my cousins married a girl from Naples, Italy and we would joke that the spoon could stand up by itself in her coffee.
Monday, April 11, 2016
I: Impressionists and Isle Royale National Park
If I have a favorite art period, it is the Impressionists. I have been fortunate to have visited some of the foremost museums in the world. But in the absence of actually visiting, one can enjoy the pictures in books.
Recently I was contacted by a website regarding a post I did on Diego Rivera. If you would like to see art online, I suggest you check out artsy.net.
Are you an art lover? Do you have any coffee table books? What subjects are they about?
Isle Royale National Park
While up to this point I have actually visited the places I've blogged about, I have yet to visit Isle Royale. And I doubt that I ever will. While I enjoyed camping out in the wild when I was younger, I am now more into 'spa days'. The park re-opens on the 16 of April. You have time to plan a trip, though it won't be a day trip. The island is only accessible by boat, about a three hour ride. Our Boy Scout troop often talked about going on a high adventure trip there, but I don't know if they ever made it. Here is a link to a preview of a short film about the wolves and moose on the island.
This is the 100th Anniversary of the National Park Service.
Sunday, January 10, 2016
Recommended Reading: The Madonnas of Leningrad
I have a long list of books to read. I doubt that I will ever read them all. Each week I read the book review in the Sunday paper and check the best-seller lists. I add anything interesting to my list. My library is also a great resource for suggestions which is how I heard about 'The Madonnas of Leningrad' by Debra Dean.
In short, the book is about a young woman who was a docent at the State Hermitage Museum in Leningrad during the 900-day siege that began in 1941. Now elderly and living in the United States, she has Alzheimer's and the story goes from present day to the past and her memories of the paintings in the museum.
I was fascinated. The descriptions of the halls and paintings were so real it was as though I was walking through the museum all over again. But I did learn something that had not been told to us when we were in the museum on our trip. It seems our guide forgot to mention that many of the paintings were sold off by Stalin in 1930-31 to finance the Soviet government. An elderly docent at the museum tells our young woman about the paintings and describes them in great detail to her, telling her to build a 'memory palace'.
Since I knew that Faberge eggs had been sold, I guess I should have realized they might have sold paintings too. With further research I learned that Andrew Mellon bought several paintings to establish the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. I am sure I have seen these paintings and never realized how they came to be there.
I went through my photos from the Hermitage and Winter Palace. I do have some photos of paintings though it is difficult with lighting and so many people around to get a good shot. Here are a few for your enjoyment.
In short, the book is about a young woman who was a docent at the State Hermitage Museum in Leningrad during the 900-day siege that began in 1941. Now elderly and living in the United States, she has Alzheimer's and the story goes from present day to the past and her memories of the paintings in the museum.
I was fascinated. The descriptions of the halls and paintings were so real it was as though I was walking through the museum all over again. But I did learn something that had not been told to us when we were in the museum on our trip. It seems our guide forgot to mention that many of the paintings were sold off by Stalin in 1930-31 to finance the Soviet government. An elderly docent at the museum tells our young woman about the paintings and describes them in great detail to her, telling her to build a 'memory palace'.
Since I knew that Faberge eggs had been sold, I guess I should have realized they might have sold paintings too. With further research I learned that Andrew Mellon bought several paintings to establish the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. I am sure I have seen these paintings and never realized how they came to be there.
I went through my photos from the Hermitage and Winter Palace. I do have some photos of paintings though it is difficult with lighting and so many people around to get a good shot. Here are a few for your enjoyment.
Leonardo da Vinci 'Benois Madonna'
Raphael's 'The Holy Family'
Rembrandt's 'The Holy Family with Angels'
Gallery with malachite urns
Thursday, April 9, 2015
H is for Helsinki, Finland
This is the farthest North I have ever gone in this world, Helsinki, Finland. I arrived here by train from Saint Petersburg on what was a very nice train ride.
Helsinki Cathedral, 1852, exterior above and altar below.
I walked up all the steps only to discover that the side entrance had far fewer steps.
I walked up all the steps only to discover that the side entrance had far fewer steps.
Statue of Alexander II, 1894, in Senate Square - complete with pigeon
Facade of indoor Markethall
Uspenski Cathedral, 1868, exterior and altar
On the Esplanade Boulevard:
A side street:
The Three Smiths by Nylund
The harbor:
A view of Helsinki Cathedral from Uspenski Cathedral:
Tolkien Bonus: H is for Hobbits. They were closely related to Men and lived in the Shire and Bree. They were under the protection of Gandalf and the Rangers.
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