Instruments at the MFA

A small collection, but very spectacular examples of musical instruments ancient and modern.  Really worth a visit.  Mark Slawson, organist and friend from 2nd. Parish Church in Hingham, and I, took advantage of his week off to visit the MFA, seeing the Matisse again, Botticelli, and having lunch at "Bravo" which I had never visited before.   Wine prices by the glass ludicrously over-priced, but the food was very very good.  I took pictures of mostly details with my I-phone, which does an amazing job of close-ups. 
Here are a few shots.

Henri Matisse' signature

Add caption

at "Bravo"

Matisse at the MFA

On the same day as visiting Botticelli,  we saw the Matisse, which was, again, the usual very high quality exhibit, including many objects used by Matisse for inspiration.  A revelation for me, as I had not given much time to admiring Matisse.  I still admit a preference for Botticelli, but.....

A smattering of the art and objects in the exhibition .  Don't miss it!

Still Life with Chocolate Pot

Goldfish and Sculpture

The Bronze Figure

Bwoom Mask

Kuba Kingdom, Democratic Republic of Congo

Marguerite with Black Velvet Ribbon

Lorette with a Cup of Coffee

The Moorish Screen

Odalisque with Green Sash

Interior with an Etruscan Vase

Tent curtain (Khayamiya) from Eqypt

Interior with Egyptian Curtain

Bottle with Islamic crescent

Bohemian or Turkish

Red Interior: Still Life on a Blue Table

Mimosa

These ladies were kind enough to let me take them with their Matisse colors

The museum shop

I think Susan's toes and sandals would have captivated Matisse.

I wonder how his rendering of them would have turned out?

Botticelli at the MFA

Susan and I met Barbara and Bill at the MFA, she mostly for Matisse (next blog), me for Botticelli.  And what a magnificent exhibition.  I publish these pictures on my blog to encourage everyone who reads this blog to get to these exhibits.  They won't be around long, and the "Ocean Liners" exhibit at the Peabody-Essex, and both the Botticelli and Matisse are very special,  all exhibiting art that has never been seen before in an American Museum. So please go.  Please.
Here are some highlights of the Botticelli.

The Japanese garden, always a great place to start before going in.

Filippo Lippi

Virgin and Child

1466-69

Sandro Botticelli

Virgin and Child (Madonna of the Book)

1478-80

Botticeli

Minerva and the Centaur

1482

Detail of above

Botticelli

Venus

1484-90

Botticelli

Saint Augustine in His Study

1480

(Detached fresco)

Marco Della Robbia

Portrait of Fra Girolamo Savonarola

1502

Death Mask of Lorenzo the Magnificent

1492

Botticelli

Christ Crucified

1488

This was only discovered and identified as by Botticelli in 2005

Francesco Rosselli

Assumption of the Virgin

1490-95

Detail of above

Botticelli

Virgin and Child with Saint John the Baptist

1500

Detail of above

Botticelli

Judgement of Paris

1485-88

Detail of above

Detail of above

Antonio del Pollaiuolo

Saint Michael the Archangel Killing the Dragon

1465-70

I have always admired this last name,

Could he have, upon success, purchased a few vowels?

I mean, maybe he was originally "Pollo"

Pollaiuolo

The battle of the nudes

1470-90

Probably his most influential work

Hmm, how about A. Douglas Waiuochaiuoppe?