Monday, January 17, 2022

Harvard Art Museum with Jackson Wauchope

 It is rewarding to get credit for a good thing, and Jackson was the first grandchild (hopefully not the last) that gives me credit for his love of art museums.  I have taken him and Oliver on many visits to the MFA, the Peabody-Essex, and others, and when Jackson found himself at home at Christmas, and being a bit bored, I offered to take him to the Harvard Art Museum, and he was eager. 

And it is such a wonderful place to visit.  It has a small, but very diverse collection, covering all ages and all types, and each example of an individual artist's work is at the highest standard of that artist.  

The only negative is that so much is from the Sackler collection, and that has come under great criticism because of Sackler's involvement with his company's promotion of opoids and the resulting addiction crisis.  His name has been removed from his museums in Washington, and one wonders when, and if, Harvard will come to recognize that.

Be that as it may, the Harvard AM is a great visit, and Jackson seemed particularly impressed.  

Here are photos from our trip, and I encourage all of you to visit when you are in Cambridge. I will try to give you more details of the artwork.

Unidentified artist
French
Capital with Four Scenes from the Story of Samson, 1150-75
Marble



Luca di Tomme
Italian, 1356-1389
Portable Cross, obverse: Crucified Christ with Virgin, Saints John the Evangelist and Francis;
reverse: Crucified Christ with Saints Michael, Paul, Peter and Louis of Toulouse, c.1365
Tempera, silver and gold on panel with rock crystal



Unidentified artist
Spanish
Saint Christopher, 15th century
oil on panel

detail



Lorenzo Lotto
Italian, 1480-1556/7
FRiar Angelo Ferretti as Saint Peter, Martyr, 1549
oil on canvas

I was struck by the brutality of it


A write-up on a rare successful female artist of the 16th century

Diana Mantuana 
Italian, c. 1547-1612
after
Giulio Romano
Italian, 1499(?)-1546
The Body of Patroclus Born from the Battlefield
engraving



Shield with Scenes of Hunting Lions
India, Rajasthan, Mughal period C.1800
Water buffalo hide, color and gold under lacquer, with silver gilt bosses

detail



Alms Bowl with Acanthus Decoration
Probably India, Mughal period, 17th century
Jade



Krishna Demands a Toll from the Gopis
India, Rajasthan, Nathadwara, Late 19th-early 20th century
Colors and gold on cotton




Helmet
India, Rajasthan or Punjab, late 18th-19th century
Steel and gold



 I didn't collect the info on this, which is unfortunate, because there is hardly an art I admire more.  


Ceiling Panel
Moreocco, Sa'did or 'Alawid period, 16th-17th century
Wood carved and painted.   
This exactly replicates the pattern on my rug below as I sit, woven in Pakistan.  



Ian van Coller
South African (b Johannesburg, 1970)
Djenne Market and Mosque, 1998
Tomboctou Home, 1998
Archival pigment print

An incredible human accomplishment, the mosque is made of mud, and constantly must be repaired.



Dragonhead bangle bracelet
China, Qing dynasty, c. 1850-c. 1870
Gold



Kano Sansetsu (1590-1651)
A Visit to Li Ning's Secluded Dwelling and Wang Ziyou Visiting Dai Andao
Japanese, Edo period, mid-17th century
Ink on paper



Katayama Yokoku (1760-1801)
Tiger
Japanese, Edo period, C. 1780-1801)
Ink on Paper



Mori Sosen (1747-1821)
Monkeys in Pine
Japanese, Edo period, 1806-21
Ink and color on paper

detail



Ogawa Haritsu (1663-1747
Eguchi no Kimi as the Bodhisattva Fugen
Japanese, Edo period, 18th. century
Ink, color and gold on silk



Kneeling Attendant Bodhisattva
Chinese, Tang dynasty, late 7th century
From Mogao Cave 328, Dunhuang, Gansu province
Unfired clay mixed with fibers and straw modeled over wooden armature:
with polychrome and gilding



John Singer Sargent
American, 1856-1925
Lake O'Hara, 1916
Oil on canvas

One of those places on the planet I have dreamed of going to, found in the Canadian Rockies, 
and talked about with awe by everyone who has ever been there.  One of the greatest
hiking destinations in the world.  Susan and I talked about going there this Summer, but
traveling to Canada is very difficult with all of the protocols. 



Gustave Moreau
French, 1826-1898
The Infant Moses, c. 1876-78
Oil on canvas

One of the greatest experiences of my trip with Barbara to Paris was a visit to Moreau's museum, 
a fascinating tour of three levels of artwork, and his studio.  His visions are so over-the-top, and 
just hypnotic,  One of the great highlights of the trip, 
among many.



William Holbrook Beard
American, 1824-1900
Power of Death, c. 1889-90
Oil on board
Stunning.  Striking.  Macabre, indeed.



and for a complete change of pace:
William Michael Harnett
American, 1848-1892
Still Life with Bric-a-Brac, 1878
Oil on canvas



Pierre-Auguste Renoir
French, 1841-1919
Spring Bouquet ,1866
Oil on canvas

How opulent can a still-life be!  Stupendous!

Back to Moreau.  I pulled Jackson to show him this artist, and he was justifiably awed. 
Gustave Moreau
French, 1826-1898
Jacob and the Angel, 1874-78
Oil on canvas




Gustave Moreau
French, 1826-1898
The Apparition, 1876-77
Oil on canvas

and (surprise!) here is Barbara in front of the larger effort in the Moreau museum in Paris.



Probably the sexiest navel in art.

William Holman Hunt
British, 1827-1910
The Miracle of the Sacred Fire, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, 1892-99
Oil on canvas
Seven years of painting in order to paint these hundreds of figures!



Antoine-Louis Barye
French, 1796-1875
Tiger attacking a Peacock, c. 1830-40
Plaster and wax



John Singleton Copley
American, 1738-1815
Abigael Bromfield Rogers (Mrs. Daniel Denison Rogers), c. 1786
Oil on canvas

I just love that hat!



and if the museum had a Canaletto, you knew it would be a great one. 
Giovanni Antonio Canal, called Canaletto
Italian, 1697-1768
Piazza San Marco, Venice c.1730-34
Oil on canvas

detail

detail




Kehinde Wiley
American (b. Los Angeles, 1977)
Portrait of Asia-Imani, Gabriella-Esnae, and Kaya Palmer, 2020
Oil on Linen
Last photo taken, simply because the artwork was so spectacularly colorful!





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