While at the Chicago Institute of Art, I came across a piece that was surprising to me: A ceramic vessel by Paul Gauguin. Yes, THAT Paul Gauguin: the post-impressionist with the colorful exotic paintings based in Polynesia. I had no idea he was so prolific!
The vessel is of course of a young Polynesian girl or 'Leda and the Swan' (from Greek mythology) as it is entitled, and was made in 1887/88. The girl hugging the swan makes up the body while the swan's neck makes a clever handle. Really magnificent! 
The Institute is one of my favorite museums because they pair not just paintings of similar time periods, but they give you the whole perspective with furniture, ceramics and even lighting fixtures of the time period. This vessel was in the same room as a number of Gauguin's works. The building has a new wing by one of my favorite architects, Renzo Piano and I will talk more about that soon!
and again - pictures by my iphone (which I think I'm giving up on and returning despite the great camera quality!)
Posts
14 comments:
no way !
you're giving up on the iphone already ?? you're right, great camera.
the institute sounds very interesting.
i want to go too.
xx
I've been to the Art Institute many times for exhibitions. I love it there.
one day when we meet again, i shall tell you a funny story about monsieur G and my i phone too. don't give up!
Stefan-A great museum. I want the iphone story. I just got one and love it except for trying to type with my beautiful fingernails on that little keyboard.
I love Gauguin. I have a small print on my entry table of the two girls from the met. It makes me smile when I enter and leave the house. Thanks for this post.
Do you think that when Gauguin formed those shapes so long ago, he could ever have imagined the many that would stop and stare at his work?
I heard that the iphone has a poor battery, maybe the next one will be better.
Those paintings are beautiful. And I love the colours!
Before you give up the iphone, why not a letter to Apple, the way you did for House Beautiful? Surely this is not an uncommon problem, and a solution for all seems to be desirable. The photos are stunning. But who are you gonna' call?
Pardon, to post something unrelated here - "home before dark", you left a charming comment on my blog, do you have a blog too?
I want to know if HBD has a blog, too!
Stefan - beautiful photos. I love Gauguin's work too. Have only been to the Chicago Institute of Art once, but I really love what you told us about how they groups different art forms of the same time period - that is great - not only for pleasure but for education, too.
On another note, home before dark has been around lately - I also got a beautifully written comment and wonder if he/she has a blog?
Home Before Dark, you have an audience waiting!!
I love Gaugin's work. When I was in elementary school my mother had given me a book with all of his work and then a datebook. Still cherish them to this day!
When did you become a trademark?
Post a Comment