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.
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| Unidentified artist French Capital with Four Scenes from the Story of Samson, 1150-75 Marble |
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| 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 |
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| Unidentified artist Spanish Saint Christopher, 15th century oil on panel |
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| 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 |
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| A write-up on a rare successful female artist of the 16th century |
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| Diana Mantuana Italian, c. 1547-1612 after Giulio Romano Italian, 1499(?)-1546 The Body of Patroclus Born from the Battlefield engraving |
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| Shield with Scenes of Hunting Lions India, Rajasthan, Mughal period C.1800 Water buffalo hide, color and gold under lacquer, with silver gilt bosses |
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| Alms Bowl with Acanthus Decoration Probably India, Mughal period, 17th century Jade |
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| Krishna Demands a Toll from the Gopis India, Rajasthan, Nathadwara, Late 19th-early 20th century Colors and gold on cotton |
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| Helmet India, Rajasthan or Punjab, late 18th-19th century Steel and gold |
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| I didn't collect the info on this, which is unfortunate, because there is hardly an art I admire more. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| Dragonhead bangle bracelet China, Qing dynasty, c. 1850-c. 1870 Gold |
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| 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 |
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| Katayama Yokoku (1760-1801) Tiger Japanese, Edo period, C. 1780-1801) Ink on Paper |
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| Mori Sosen (1747-1821) Monkeys in Pine Japanese, Edo period, 1806-21 Ink and color on paper |
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| Ogawa Haritsu (1663-1747 Eguchi no Kimi as the Bodhisattva Fugen Japanese, Edo period, 18th. century Ink, color and gold on silk |
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| 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 |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| William Holbrook Beard American, 1824-1900 Power of Death, c. 1889-90 Oil on board Stunning. Striking. Macabre, indeed. |
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| and for a complete change of pace: William Michael Harnett American, 1848-1892 Still Life with Bric-a-Brac, 1878 Oil on canvas |
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| Pierre-Auguste Renoir French, 1841-1919 Spring Bouquet ,1866 Oil on canvas |
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| 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 |
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| Gustave Moreau French, 1826-1898 The Apparition, 1876-77 Oil on canvas |
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| and (surprise!) here is Barbara in front of the larger effort in the Moreau museum in Paris. |
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| Probably the sexiest navel in art. |
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| 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! |
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| Antoine-Louis Barye French, 1796-1875 Tiger attacking a Peacock, c. 1830-40 Plaster and wax |
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| John Singleton Copley American, 1738-1815 Abigael Bromfield Rogers (Mrs. Daniel Denison Rogers), c. 1786 Oil on canvas I just love that hat! |
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| 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 |
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| 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! |
