I'm looking forwerd to this week! I am going to go to Yale this Tuesday. Nothing much to report until then.
It looks like everyone is starting to get into class! As a suggestion, if any one wants a road trip, drive up to mass and check out the Norman Rockwell museum. ITS AWESOME! I went last year. I think I may try and get up there with in the next few weeks. Its a blast. You can Make a nice day trip out of it.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Wadsworth Athenaeum
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] www.wadsworthathenauem.org.
[2] http://artgallery.yale.edu /pages/collectionpopups1pc_amerps/details01.html.
[3] www.wikipedia.org.
[4] Ibid.
[5] www.artcyclopedia.com
[6] Ibid.
[7] www.wikipedia.org
[8] www.artcyclopedia.com
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] www.wadsworthathenauem.org.
[2] http://artgallery.yale.edu /pages/collectionpopups1pc_amerps/details01.html.
[3] www.wikipedia.org.
[4] Ibid.
[5] www.artcyclopedia.com
[6] Ibid.
[7] www.wikipedia.org
[8] www.artcyclopedia.com
Hey Ron,
I really love your blog layout! I was trying to post a comment but I had some trouble, may be you can guide me.
Next Museum Visit
Hi Everyone,
I wasn't able to visit a museum this week due to transportation problems. I will be going to the Metropolitan next Saturday though and I'm hoping to fit in the New Britain Museum of American Art Thursday night hopefully.
I wasn't able to visit a museum this week due to transportation problems. I will be going to the Metropolitan next Saturday though and I'm hoping to fit in the New Britain Museum of American Art Thursday night hopefully.
New to the Blog.....
Hello team! Forgive me, for I am new to all of this. This week I will be visiting Yale Art, and Wadsworth Museum and (if approved) Peabody Museum. I truly enjoyed viewing your blogs and/or experiences to the museum. I can't wait to explore the wonderful art in these musuem. I am also looking forward in taking my two teenagers with me, since they practically live on the computer, I want them to see it in person not adapt to the virtual tours. My daughter was sick last week and I was held at home. However I am looking to busy week, wish me luck! Nice chatting with you all!
Wadsworth, Part Deux
I listed my incorrect blogspot address. Please check out my blog at http://hmcole.blogspot.com/. There you will find my adventures at the Yale British Art Center and the Wadsworth Athenaeum.
Helen
Saturday, November 8, 2008
The Wadsworth Athenaeum Experience
I too went to the Wadsworth Athenaeum but I went on Thursday evening and boy oh boy, what an experience. I invite you all to check it out on Sunday on my blog at http://hmcole@blogspot.com. I will be posting some of my pictures there as well as discussing the craziness I saw. To be honest, it was an experience just getting there as it was pouring rain on Thursday evening. But once we got there, the staff was very friendly. The guard's name was Helen so we hit off right away. Before I went, a co-worker recommended I check out artwork by Giuseppe Arcimbolo, an Italian painter who created portraits by using objects such as fruits and vegetables but I was unable to find anything. I asked 2 guards but they too were not able to help me so I am wondering if maybe when he went, it was a temporary exhibit. I was unable to take a lot of pictures as it was not as clear what the permanent collection was and I felt very rushed.
Visiting to the Wadsworth Atheneum
Hello everyone,
Today is Saturday, and I will be visiting the Wadsworth Atheneum. I am looking forward to seeing the European Art, and the American Painting & Sculptures.
Linda
Today is Saturday, and I will be visiting the Wadsworth Atheneum. I am looking forward to seeing the European Art, and the American Painting & Sculptures.
Linda
Thursday, November 6, 2008
just a couple of pics from my trip today to the Wadsworth in Hartford. They do offer a couple of tours at noon and another at one but I opted to meander around the museum so that I could work at my own pace. There is plenty of parking, but the parking garages listed on the site are actually about 5 or 6 blocks away. I found it easier to just put some money in the parking kiosk (only change or debit card). 3 bucks got me 3 hours which is just about right. Try and save some time for lunch or an early dinner because the museum cafe (The Russell) is great. Looking at this artwork just never gets old. You can find everything from Picasso to Monet as well as some outstanding European and early American artwork.
Important
At this point, I have three students blogs accounted for... if you haven't created your blog by now you are losing extremely valuable time which will in fact impact your grade. We can't find you if you don't do let us know where you are if you have created a blog. Take time to read each other's work and to leave comments... that's an important part of the class as well.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Hey all,
I forgot to add my address to my blog in my last post..so here is it: http://ronexperience.blogspot.com/.
I forgot to add my address to my blog in my last post..so here is it: http://ronexperience.blogspot.com/.
My journey this week will take me to the museum named in honor of the Greek goddess of wisdom Athena. One of the first American museums to exhibit Surrealism, which is a style of art that uses the subconscious as a source of creativity. Surrealism attempts to portray, or interpret the unconscious minds as manifested in dreams. I’m hoping my visit to the Wadsworth Atheneum museum this weekend will provide me the pleasure of viewing such works by world-renowned artist who was best known for the bizarre images in his surrealist work Salvador Dali.
This work of art is a portrait of Dali's wife known as Gala. The piece is called 'Galatea of the Spheres'.
http://www.salvador-dali.org/serveis/ced/articles/en_article3.htmlRon
Timeline for Museum Visits
I noticed I was "behind" and did not post my list of museums I expect to visit for this class. nothing is set in stone but here is the tentative list:
November 1 - Yale Center for British Art
November 6 - Wadsworth Athenaeum
November 8 - Yale Art Gallery
November 12 - Metropolitan Museum of Art or Florence Griswold Museum
November 28 - Metropolitan Museum of Art or Museum of Modern Art
I haven't decided on anyting else yet and this is very subject to change.
November 1 - Yale Center for British Art
November 6 - Wadsworth Athenaeum
November 8 - Yale Art Gallery
November 12 - Metropolitan Museum of Art or Florence Griswold Museum
November 28 - Metropolitan Museum of Art or Museum of Modern Art
I haven't decided on anyting else yet and this is very subject to change.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Hey all!!
I am a newcomer to the class and I am very excited to get started. I am a history major so this class is going to be very enjoyable for me. Visiting museums is one of my favorite pastimes and I am hoping to gain much insight through the educational aspect of the visits. I am planning my visit to the Wadsworth on the 6th to get the ball rolling. I am then planning a trip to Yale on the 13th followed by a visit to the Met on the 18th. During my visit to NYC, I am sure to visit another musuem to be determined sometime soon. I will supplement those visits with trips to New Britain and a possible trip to Boston. I will definitely be in touch and you can visit my blog at http://seawhite1.blogspot.com/ Best, Ulysses
I am a newcomer to the class and I am very excited to get started. I am a history major so this class is going to be very enjoyable for me. Visiting museums is one of my favorite pastimes and I am hoping to gain much insight through the educational aspect of the visits. I am planning my visit to the Wadsworth on the 6th to get the ball rolling. I am then planning a trip to Yale on the 13th followed by a visit to the Met on the 18th. During my visit to NYC, I am sure to visit another musuem to be determined sometime soon. I will supplement those visits with trips to New Britain and a possible trip to Boston. I will definitely be in touch and you can visit my blog at http://seawhite1.blogspot.com/ Best, Ulysses
Monday, November 3, 2008
The Links
After reviewing the links within our syllabus for AH 251: The Museum Experience, I found that some links were easy to navigate. Links such as Metropolitan Museum of Art, Timeline of Art History, was very informative and descriptive of the different art movements; as well as the different pieces of collection. The variety of art is massive and the link breaks down the time era, where the collection was created, and background on the creator (artist). However, I found some links to be difficult to navigate such as Art History Resource on the Web, I understand that the link is specifically used to resource, however; for a person to browse through the link seemed overwhelming if you didn’t know what you were looking for. It was a lot of different categories to link onto and I didn’t know exactly where to start. But it is good to know that once I do have an exact era or collection that I am researching that theses links will be very helpful. In fact all the links were very informative and will allow for me to provide an efficient piece of work.
Invitation to View My Blog
Hello Everyone,
Hope you had a great weekend. We had some great weather didn't we? Anyway, my blog is still under construction. I'm running a little late. I should be done by 9am.
I went to the Wadsworth Atheneum and found the museum employees at the information desk and guards very helpful. I think I mentioned before that I borrowed a digital camera from my daughter and forgot to ask her how to turn the flash off. As Jerry pointed out, you can't use the flash. Well all cameras are different so at first I covered the flash with my finger and then after taking a few more pictures, I figured it out. Also, an employee gave me a detailed map showing all three floors of exhibits.
Anyway, please visit my blog at http://kjsmuseumexperiences.blogspot.com/ and let me know what you think.
Karen (KJ)
Hope you had a great weekend. We had some great weather didn't we? Anyway, my blog is still under construction. I'm running a little late. I should be done by 9am.
I went to the Wadsworth Atheneum and found the museum employees at the information desk and guards very helpful. I think I mentioned before that I borrowed a digital camera from my daughter and forgot to ask her how to turn the flash off. As Jerry pointed out, you can't use the flash. Well all cameras are different so at first I covered the flash with my finger and then after taking a few more pictures, I figured it out. Also, an employee gave me a detailed map showing all three floors of exhibits.
Anyway, please visit my blog at http://kjsmuseumexperiences.blogspot.com/ and let me know what you think.
Karen (KJ)
Sunday, November 2, 2008
A beautiful weekend for a visit....
Hi Everyone,
After a few attempts, well maybe more than a few..I was able to post to my blog, the wonderful visit I had this past weekend at Yale Art Gallery.
Please let me know what you think.
Ron.
Hello Everyone
Hello Everyone,
I'm really new to creating blogs and uploading pictures, etc. I'm embarrased to say that I don't even own a digital camera. I borrowed my daughter's digital camera and I'm learning how to use it. I know I will get a lot of practice, but I really should have considered taking a digital photography class before this one.
I am really excited about the whole museum experience. I can't wait to take a trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I think this will probably be the most interesting and rewarding trip. I visited the website and I was in awe.
I did go to the Wadsworth Atheneum today, but wasn't able to go on a tour. The museum highlights would have been very helpful. For those of you who are planning on going now, here is a list of their current exhibitions:
Pop to the Present:
New Questions, New Reponses
Who was Anna Tuels? Quilt Stories, 1750-1900
Young Americans:
Photographs by Sheila Pree Bright
At Home with Gustav Stickley:
Arts & Crafts from the Stephen Gray Collection
Faith and Fortune:
Five Centuries of European Masterworks
I still want to go again sometime. I will post some of the pictures I took on my blog.
Any help or advise would be greately appreciated.
Karen
I'm really new to creating blogs and uploading pictures, etc. I'm embarrased to say that I don't even own a digital camera. I borrowed my daughter's digital camera and I'm learning how to use it. I know I will get a lot of practice, but I really should have considered taking a digital photography class before this one.
I am really excited about the whole museum experience. I can't wait to take a trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I think this will probably be the most interesting and rewarding trip. I visited the website and I was in awe.
I did go to the Wadsworth Atheneum today, but wasn't able to go on a tour. The museum highlights would have been very helpful. For those of you who are planning on going now, here is a list of their current exhibitions:
Pop to the Present:
New Questions, New Reponses
Who was Anna Tuels? Quilt Stories, 1750-1900
Young Americans:
Photographs by Sheila Pree Bright
At Home with Gustav Stickley:
Arts & Crafts from the Stephen Gray Collection
Faith and Fortune:
Five Centuries of European Masterworks
I still want to go again sometime. I will post some of the pictures I took on my blog.
Any help or advise would be greately appreciated.
Karen
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Hello Everyone!
My name is Linda, and this is my first time with this web site, so I hope I am doing this right. With being a little scared and excited about this class, I am looking forward to visiting my list of museums. I had to read the syllabus over a few times to get the concept of this class. It is very different from the other on-line class that I have completed. Well have a good week everyone.
Museum Schedule
Week 2: Wadsworth Atheneum & The Wordsworth Atheneum Hartford, CT
Week 3: Florence Griswold Museum, Old Lyme, CT
Week 4: The Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, Ridgefield, CT
Week 5: The Bruce Museum, Greenwich, CT
Week 6: Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC
Week 3: Florence Griswold Museum, Old Lyme, CT
Week 4: The Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, Ridgefield, CT
Week 5: The Bruce Museum, Greenwich, CT
Week 6: Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC
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