The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Last weekend I was finally able to make the trip into the city. The unfortunate part was that due to other obligations, the amount of time I was able to spend there was significantly less than I would have liked. A museum like the MET should not be rushed, of this I am profoundly aware, but I was determined to take advantage of the time I did have. At the risk of providing already information that is already well-known, it must be noted that the MET, as it is affectionately known, is the largest museum in the United States and the third most visited art museum in the world, trailing only the Louvre in Paris and the National Museum of China in Beijing (2017 numbers) according to The Art Newspaper’s visitors figures survey published in April of 2018.

Of, course I surveyed the impressive collections of Rodin sculptures as you might imagine, but don’t worry I’ll spare you more of pictures or talk of my favorite artist.

Okay, maybe just one. Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

Auguste Rodin - Pierre Puvis de Chavannes, modeled ca. 1890, cast ca. 1910 Bronze

Now that I've gotten that out of my system, let's move on.

The were two things, among the many great works, first was the short-term exhibit of French painter Eugene Delacroix. That however, I will omit from this post, intending instead to feature him solo in an upcoming paper. The other as the 2^nd floor galleries that contains the most impressive collection of paintings in all of North America. Unfortunately, parts of the European painting from 1250-1800, including the works of Goya, was temporarily closed due to a skylight project. Disappointed, but undeterred, the 19^th and Early 20^th Century European Paintings beckoned. There is where I decided to spend the majority of the short time I had.

Just a small sampling of the magnificent works represented including:

Picasso’s At the Lapin Agile, 1905, in which Picasso paints himself dressed as a Harlequin accompanied by his lover Germaine Pichot, who was once the fascination of his deceased friend Carlos Casagemas. As a side note, National Geographic has a series called genius with a whole season devoted to Picasso that provides a detailed account of the Casagemas tale.

                                                    Paul Gauguin - Two Tahitian Women, 1899.

Gauguin spent years in Tahiti where he studied the native culture and customs. He was a member of the Primitivism movement, which aspired to recreate primitive culture, or at least what the West considered to be primitive. Debates have ranged over whether his work was celebratory of the Tahitian people or exploitative. Whichever stance one wants to take, the beauty of his work is undeniable. Gauguin, however, was admired, some might say obsessively, by another artist, Vincent Van Gough.

                                                    Vincent van Gough – Shoes- 1888

Vincent van Gough has many famous and recognizable paintings such as The Starry Night, Sunflowers and several self-portraits. He is certainly one of the most recognizable names in art, as much for his art, as for his legend. He was a Dutch Post-Impressionist painter. He wasn’t, at least to my knowledge, considered to be among the of Fauvism group, but I could easily him included based on his use of broad and heavy brush strokes. Each time I have been fortunate enough to be in the presence of one of his paintings, I am always shocked by the thick “feel’ of his work. I think back to seeing La nuit etoile, 1888 at the Musee d’Orsay and wanting to reach out and brush my hand against the painting (no, I didn’t do it) to feel the texture. Van Gough’s mental illness brought a sad end to a troubled life but his legacy as one of the greats is secure.  Here is a pastel drawing on Van Gogh, (not on display at the MET nor a photo taken by me) that was done by French artist named Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec.

Photo courtesy of wikipedia

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec The Streetwalker, ca. 1890-91

Toulouse-Lautrec was a Post-Impressionist painter dwelt in the Montmartre area of Paris where he would paint the bohemian lifestyle of many of its denizens. He was particularly fond of using prostitutes as subjects.

August Renoir Madame Edouard Bernier (Marie-Octavie-Stephanie Laurens, 1838-1920), 1871

Pierre-Auguste Renoir was a leader in the Impressionist style of painting. Here he painted the wife of the commander of Renoir’s regiment during the Franco-Prussian War. Staying with the couple for two months he showed his gratitude by creating this portrait of his hostess.

Info provided by placard.

Andre Derain- Lucien Gilbert, ca, 1905

Lesser known than the previous artists, Derain was a co-founder of Fauvism, along with Henri Matisse. The term which translated means, wild beast, refers to the emphasis of using string colors and visible paint strokes over the realism of Impressionism. This is a portrait of a childhood friend and collector of his work.

Henri Matisse-Nasturtiums with the Painting “Dance” 1  1912

Matisse is one of the most recognizable names in art history. He was a prolific artist who is known as one of revolutionary in the development of modern visual arts. In addition to painting Matisse also was a skilled sculptor. As he aged as was no longer able to paint, he created paper cut out collages that became important works themselves.

Amedeo Modigliani – Lola de Valence, 1915

Modigliani was an Italian sculptor and painter whose signature style featured elongated necks and faces which was inspired by African art. Not a successful satirist during his lifetime his works have become among the most valued in the art world with one painting, Nu couche, sold for $157.2 million dollars earlier this year. During his time in Paris he ran in the same circles as Picasso, Gino Severini, Jacob Epstein, and Juan Gris.

Juan Gris – Juan Legua 1911

Gris was a leader in the Cubist movement whose work hinted at more humorous interpretations that set his work apart from that of Picasso’s. Gris migrated to Paris from Madrid becoming an illustrator in satirical magazines before devoting his time to painting. His contributions to Cubism are considered equal to that of Picasso or Georges Braque.

Breaking the theme of highlighting the last-mentioned artist from the previous paragraphs, (apparently I neglected to photograph Braque) I go back to Impressionism.

Camille Pissaro – The Boulevard Montmartre on a Winter Morning 1897

Pissaro was an influential Impressionist and Neo-Impressionist painter, called by art historian John Rewald, “the dean of Impressionist painters. Before returning to Paris Pissaro painted many scenes of the river, woods, and other scenes from village life. Once he returned, he painted series of grand boulevards, particularly from the view at the Grand Hotel de Russie. Pissaro was influential on many artists, one of whom, was Paul Cezanne.

Paul Cezanne – Seated Peasant, ca. 1892-96

Paul Cezanne was a Post-Impressionist painter, who was said to have formed the bridge between late 19^th century Impressionism and early 20^th century Cubism. Allegedly, Matisse and Picasso stated that Cezanne “is the father of us all.” He was heavily influenced by Pissarro with whom he developed a friendship as a young man.  They often worked together, taking landscape excurions throughout Louveciennes and Pontoise. Cezanne, unlike many contemporaries, he preferred isolation and stayed away from Paris for long stretches spending significant time painting in Provence.

Left out, of this post but no less important are artists like Claude Monet, Henri Rousseau, Edouard Manet, Edgar Degas, Georges Seurat, and Alfred Sisley to name but a few. Late 19^th century Paris was an exciting time in the creative world with reverberations that continue to be felt to this very day.

                                                                          Cites

Wikipedia

The Art Newspaper’s visitors figures survey published in April of 2018.

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection

https://www.businessinsider.com/most-expensive-paintings-ever-sold-including-157-million-nude-modigliani-2018-5