On Saturday (October 7, 2023) I am starting an online certificate program in Art History at Cambridge University. I am so very excited!
For introductions I was suggested that we share our favorite- or least favorite- artwork/ object/ building. How do I pick one? I am taking this class because I like art so much.
Here is the list of the ones I have thought of as I considered this question.
National Gallery of Art
in Washington, DC
The National Gallery of Art in DC is one of my favorite places to go and the art there are like old friends.
John Singer Sargent
Nonchaloir (Repose), 1911
National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC
Frédéric Bazille
Young Woman with Peonies, 1870
National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC
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|---|---|---|
| Ginevra de' Benci by Leonardo da Vinci | Annunciation by Jan van Eyck | Rubens Peale with a Geranium by Rembrandt Peale |
The David
by Michelangelo, seriously incredible
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|---|
Henry Moore
I really like Henry Moore, so maybe King and Queen
MET
in New York City has so much great art. I gravitate to these two every time.
Autumn Landscape by Tiffany and Wheatfield with Cypress by van Gogh
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|---|
My mom had this hanging in our house.
Rijksmuseum
in Amsterdam, amazing Rembrandt and The Old Woman Reading is stunning
Architecture
Then there is the architecture... it is one of my favorite art forms.
 |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum | Library of Congress | Rijksmuseum |
Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
United States Capitol
Kusama
The immersive art of Yayoi Kusuma is amazing. My Heart is Dancing into the Universe at the Hirshorn Gallery.
Chihuly
The color, the glass, the gardens. Neodymium Reeds is really remarkable in all different settings.
What would you say if you have to pick your favorite piece of art? Could you pick just one or would you be like me and make a post with the ones you considered?
Art Talk Series Highlights
2023
Theme: Museums
Art Talk: Rijksmusuem
Art Talk: Armstrong Browning Library and Museum
Art Talk: Musical Instrument Museum
Art Talk: Norsk Folkemuseum
Art Talk: Phoenix Art Museum
Art Talk: High Museum of Art in Atlanta
Art Talk: Saint Louis Art Museum
Art Talk: 2022 Posts
Art Talk: 2021 Posts
Art Talk: 2020 Posts
Art Talk: 2019 Posts
Art Talk: 2018 Posts
I'm a big fan of the pre-raphaelites. After I finished my university degree, I went on a "pilgrimage" of sorts from Australia to the UK to go see the TATE Britain and National Portrait Gallery.
Seeing the works of Millais, Holman-Hunt, Waterhouse et-al and others in the flesh was incredible as an experience, and transitioned those artists from myth to reality.
I was also very lucky that there was a massive Turner exhibition going on at the same time, and being able to see some Deleroache paintings rounded out the trip very nicely.
If it weren't for the small seats and stupidly expensive fares out of Australia, I'd certainly travel to see more art.
I was really pleased when I was in the US and got to see Duchamp's "Nude Descending a Stair Case" - without even knowing (beforehand) that it was on display at the Philadelphia Art Gallery at the time. That was a very nice surprise, as its the one piece of "modern" art that tends to resonate with me.
On the whole, I just love the truth in the painting of the Pre-Rapaelites, how they equalised their subject matter and focused on the ephemerality and fragility of human life, while bringing their narrative roots toward myth and fable.
I could talk about art for days and days.
Thanks for sharing some of your favourite work!
Thank you so much for sharing your favorite artists and experiences. I have little exposure to Pre-Raphaelites. One of my first museum experiences and one that really sparked my desire to see more was at the National Gallery in London. So much great art in London!
Yes, Turner is great. There are some Turner paintings at the National Gallery in DC. He has such a unique style that really sets him apart and makes him stand out. I feel like if I see a great sea scape with a dramatic sky it is likely Turner!
Haha! It's hard to pick just one, they are beautiful arts.
What is a piece of art you really like?
Hmmmmm! This is really tough for me🫣...I am seriously scratching my head right now, lol! Okay, I will first take Henry Moore, and then Chihuly
What about art that you have personally seen that you really like?
I really like the Chihuly mostly because of its colours. Colours are beautiful and they convey a lot of meaning. Even art in general, I will go with painting because it has to do with beautiful colours, and then drawing and photography.
When we see such beautiful things and all these art are made with a lot of effort, it becomes very difficult to select one art from all of them, they all look so beautiful.
Yayoi kusuma is really mind blowing 🙈😻