More from the National Gallery

More great art from my trip the National Gallery...

Blowing bubbles...

It's interesting to see that 18th century French children weren't so different from my four-year-old niece.

Doesn't this look like a serious fellow? Rather Puritanical, I'd say. Would it surprise you to know...

...he's on ice skates? Yeah, me too.

One of the things I really love in paintings of this era is the way the artists captured fabric. The ripples and creases and the way it catches the light with the silks and brocades, it all amazes me. There were lots of good examples on display.

I think some of the Gallery's greatest unsung artistry can be found in the magnificent gilded frames that accompany the artwork. They're a triumph of woodworking and just stunning.

The final artwork I visited was that of the plaster mold used to create the bronze memorial to the Massachusetts 54th Regiment that sits on Boston Common. This is the regiment portrayed in the film "Glory."

The sculpture depicts Colonel Robert Gould Shaw leading his men into battle, looking fierce and determined.

I've seen the bronze in Boston, so it was great to see the plaster model, too. The details are wonderful and the sculpture is very moving.

Colonel Shaw and more than 100 of his compatriots gave the last full measure of devotion at the Battle of Fort Wagner, 149 years ago this past Wednesday. Maybe next year on July 18th, I'll visit it again and pay my respects.

"You're the National Gallery, you're Garbo's salary, you're cellophane!"

So, the National Gallery. Oh, my my. This was the first of what will be many trips, since there are over 100 galleries and I only got through fifteen. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. There are three components to the National Gallery: the Sculpture Garden, the modern East Building which houses the NG's modern collections, and the original museum building, now called The West Building, which houses the museum's original collections. That's where I spent my time since sculpture and modern art aren't high on my list. Except for this silver tree, which sparkles beautifully in the sunshine:

The building itself is amazing. When it was finished in 1941, it was the largest marble structure in the world. Pillars, a rotunda, a central fountain, and sunlit hallways branching off to the galleries...

But oh, the paintings! (Please excuse the poor photography. I was concerned with getting too close and setting off the alarms. Not that I've done that in other museums. Twice.)

Renoirs...

Monets...

This one is my favorite. It's of his wife and son. I love the movement of it. Her dress is just dancing in the wind.

And I could not stop staring at this one. Look at the way he captures the reflections on the water. 

There were art students practicing their craft, which I think takes a lot of courage in such a public space.

I was so pleased to come upon this one because I used to have a small print of it in my book room. I love how she’s so absorbed in her book that she doesn’t even notice her skirt is caught up on the chair’s arm. I’ll bet it’s Austen or Bronte.

And this was the subject of a gorgeous postage stamp that I’m always wishing was a forever stamp.

This is Leonardo’s da Vinci’s portrait of Ginevra de Benci, a young Italian noblewoman. Guys, this painting is a huge deal. So little of da Vinci’s work remains in existence and it was an enormous coup for the museum to acquire this. It’s the only da Vinci on display in the country. (There are actually two Americans who also have da Vincis in their private collections. Can you even imagine?) 

Ginevra graces much of the museum’s literature because they’re so proud to have her. Check her curls. They are so exquisite up close. Kristen directed me to this gallery because it’s her fourth favorite painting. I wonder what the top three are. You should tell us in the comments, Kris. 

The painting is displayed on a punched-out wall because da Vinci painted a wreath on the back listing some of Ginevra’s qualities. 

Apparently, she was beautiful and virtuous. 

Check out this terrifying scene, painted from a real life incident. Gah! 

You’re gonna need a bigger boat. 

I love this dude, who is taking on the monstrous shark with what is basically a pointy stick. I would have been like the guy behind him. “Yeah, I think I’ll just row. I’m all set.”


I saw a lot more amazing stuff, but this post is long enough. More later...