Museum of Fine Arts

Join me as I wander through the second floor of the MFA.  What a glorious way it was to spend my Friday afternoon.  One of the first things that impressed me was the detail of inlay work on an English cabinet by Bruce Talbert from 1875.

Visit to a Museum by Edgar Degas.  I was enjoying seeing an actual Degas painting up close and personal until I read the exhibit text that quoted the artist as saying he wanted "to give the idea of that bored and respectfully crushed and impressed absence of sensation that women experience in front of paintings."  Talented painter, member of the Big Pile of Dicks Brigade.

Eddie baby, I present the following evidence in contrast to your notion.  This room took my breath away.  On the right wall are a collection of works by Claude Monet.  Directly in front are several Van Gogh paintings.  On the left is a group of Renoirs.  There were sculptures by Degas and Rodin in the room.  Being in a single room containing so many works by so many artists I have admired, being able to see these things up close and personal as opposed to only in books...it was spiritual.  There was, in fact, a great overwhelming sensation of awe, which prevented a hasty exit from the gallery, for this woman.  Take that, Degas!

After that mountaintop experience I entered a gallery of quite different works.  Nothing like a beaded figurine of a naked, banana-wielding woman astride a Holstein to bring you back to Earth.  Ladies and gentlemen, I present Dairy Queen by Liz Manfredini. Again, no dearth of sensation, just a hearty giggle.

This one I had to show Logo.  It's a Dale Chihuly piece called Seaform.  Chihuly is a famous glass worker based in Seattle, which is generally known for its art glass production.  I thought it was funny that I had to come to Boston to see a Chihuly when I had spent 10 days in Seattle back in September.

Here is more hand blown glass. Endlessly Repeating 20th Century Modernism by Josiah McElheny.  It was a large four-sided display with dozens of bottles arranged to be reflecting infinitely.  I could have wandered around it for an hour or so just studying the shapes and patterns in the reflections.  It was fascinating.

Here we have Lilith by Kiki Smith.  She was perched on the wall high above my head, Lilith, not Kiki.  I wonder what old Edgar would make of her.  She looks like she might bite his head off if he made any disparaging comments in her presence.  I feel more kindred with her legend than with the story of Eve. I like her.

I freely admit, some modern art perplexes me.  There was one piece that was a photograph of a photograph.  The exhibit text for it spoke of how the artist took a picture of someone else's famous piece and the debate over whether or not using another's images is art of plagiarism.  About that time I was seized with a particular sensation. (See, Monsieur Degas, women have all sorts of sensations when looking at art!) When I found what I needed I took a picture of that image.  Oh look!  I am a modern artist now!

After finding some relief I proceeded into the hall for Asian art.  While I appreciate the amazing skill required to produce this lovely little 15th century piece called Devotee, the sensation I have is an overwhelming urge to nudge her either enough to topple her or to right her.  She looks like she could use a good chiropractor.

This is 1st or 2nd century BC Greek torso of Aphrodite.  I found it affirming because she does not have washboard abs and yet was considered the ideal once upon a time. Once upon a time, at my thinnest and most fit, I still had that soft belly paunch. It's nice to know some culture would have appreciated it.  We won't discuss how much that paunch has grown in middle age..moving on....

I loved he detail work on this gorgeous American mandolin.

I am a fan of Antiques Roadshow.  I've learned a lot from it.  There was a group called The Saturday Evening Girls around the turn of the last century.  They were immigrant girls instructed in pottery decoration as a means to supporting themselves.  This piece is by Sarah Galner, who was one of the more respected artists.  I have a thing for trees.  Trees + pottery + plus art education enabling women to earn a living=an empowering sensation Degas can stick in his pipe and smoke.

Fishing Party by Fitz Henry Lane.  I also have a thing for the moon.  It seems rare that a landscape painting highlights the moon as opposed to a glorious sunset or dawn.  I just love the light in this piece.

Closeup of a chair back.  Aside from the obvious skill in producing this carving I just chuckled thinking of this being in someone's parlor.  It seems like it had potential as metaphorical furniture. "Come into my parlor," said the spider to the fly...

Finally, I was ready to leave but not before capturing the rotunda ceiling.  Gorgeous, no?

Once outside I found this warrior imploring the Great Spirit.  I gave thanks myself for such a wonderful afternoon.