Tag: art

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Weekend Getaway: New York City

IMG_1303As summer is quickly approaching I have begun scheduling weekend excursions to get away from the ordinary so, that I may relax and indulge in the art scene.

This weekend’s destination is New York City, now considering this region a relaxing place is a relative concept, but when you are inside galleries, viewing exquisite collections, one becomes so focused on the art that the noise and nonsense of Gotham dissipates.

With several galleries to explore along with shops and restaurants planned within a two and half day period, the challenge was put forth. Upon arriving in the city it was imperative to check into the YOTEL New York on 10th Avenue, which is a trendy capsule hotel within walking distance from the Port Authority and Times Square.

IMG_3910 IMG_3913{Section of a marble mosaic bathhouse floor, Byzantine, from Antioch, Roman Syria {now Antakya, Turkey}, laid 537/38; and a Mosaic scene with itinerant musicians, Roman, Late Republic period, 2nd-1st century BC, signed by Dioskourides of Samos, excavated at the Villa of Cicero/Diomedes, Pompeii, 1749-64}

Next it was off to the Onassis Cultural Center on Fifth Avenue to see Gods and Mortals at Olympus: Ancient Dion, City of Zeus and to research additional information on the Hellenistic culture, from antiquity to today. The newly renovated midtown Manhattan space, designed by Perkins Eastman, allows the audience to engage with the art and culture from this ancient Greek and Mediterranean period of history. When I wrote the post “Weekend Reprieve”, it was after spending time at the National Gallery of Art {Washington, DC} to view the exhibit Power and Pathos: Bronze Sculpture of the Hellenistic World and to take part in a public symposium; with illustrated lectures by Christopher A. Gregg, assistant professor of art history, George Mason University and Despina Ignatiadou, head curator of the sculpture collection, National Archaeological Museum, Athens.

IMG_3932{Marble horse from a quadriga {acroterion from the Great Altar} Greek, Hellenistic period, ca. 160 BC, discovered at Pergamon, Altar Terrace}

Saturday morning it was time for a trip to the Met to see Pergamon and the Hellenistic Kingdoms of the Ancient World, which will be on exhibition until July 17th. The New York show uses the Pergamon, the Hellenistic capital in present day Turkey as the case study to explore three centuries of fine art, literature and trade from the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC to Cleopatra’s in 30 BC.

While at the symposium at the National Gallery of Art in early spring, the discussion ensued around Arsinoe; Queen of Egypt who was married to Ptolemy about 282 BC as part of the alliance between Thrace and Egypt. But, I must continue my research this summer while in Athens and Rhodes for clarification of her true role in history.

Enjoy the audio tour of Power and Pathos that was at the National Gallery.
Stay stylish,
K

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The Prints of Pompadour

IMG_3742 IMG_3743

{Plate-43, l’Amour et l’Amitié by Jeanne Antoinette Poisson, marquise de Pompadour, ca. 1755 and Plate-54, Alliance de l’ Austriche et de la France, ca. 1756 both after François Boucher; and Jacques Guay}

In eighteenth century Paris, Jeanne-Antoinette Poisson was best known as Madame de Pompadour, she was the favorite mistress of King Louis XV, a notable patroness of the arts in his court and an artist in her own right. She was the inspiration for several portraits by Rococo artist François Boucher, yet her involvement with the arts was considered and portrayed as quite frivolous. But, for the first time a selection of her rare etchings, prints and paintings are on display at the Walters Art Gallery in Baltimore. So, I popped in to peruse these exquisite creations that ranged from detailed catalogues and notebooks to vases and the most beautiful jewelry.

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{Plate-61, Portrait of Madame de Pompadour’s dog {Bebe}, ca. 1758 modeled after drawings by François Boucher and Jacques Guay}

Each print in the Suite of Prints is a true artistic process; first Jacques Guay {gemstone engraver} carved an image onto a gemstone, next an artist, usually Boucher or Joseph-Marie Vien created a drawing of the carved gem then Pompadour would etch the drawing onto a metal plate. A professional print-maker reinforced the etched lines with a burin, an engraving tool, and then made impressions onto paper to yield a finished product or print. Each item displayed was an absolute treasure, madame de Pompadour had a most artistic eye.

Profiter de l’art,

K