My trip to the Bruce Museum

Angela Thigpen
AH 251
March 7, 2009
Bruce Museum

The Bruce Museum is located in Greenwich, Connecticut, and was a private home until the early 1900s when Robert Bruce the owner willed the home to the Town of Greenwich with the stipulation that it be made available to the public, and used as a Natural History and Art Museum. The Museum is set upon a hill, and has a very tranquil yet distinguished atmosphere.
Visiting the Bruce Museum in Greenwich gave me an opportunity to ponder many things as I viewed the environmental, historical, and modern exhibits: As I viewed the environmental exhibits I was able to appreciate earth and all the beauty and resources that were created for each inhabitant, not only man, but animals and those living in the air and sea. I also came to comprehend in greater depth how truly connected and dependent we are upon each other. Planet earth is about 4.55 billion years old, and man is in a sense the preserver or keeper of earth. The earth is filled with countless minerals and natural resources, many of which were on display. I also viewed the taxidermy exhibit featuring a red fox, American eagle, and beaver, just to name a few and learned how they lived and occupied the beautiful landscape. There was one of the first typewriters on display, as well as apparatus cobblers used to make shoes.
I also viewed a private collection of Modern Art, and was impressed with the exhibits: the first display was a sculpture entitled the Cement Worker by Duane Hanson, 1925-1996. Hanson was an American sculptor who held a degree in Art from Macalaster College in St. Paul, MN, and a MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, MI. Hanson moved to West Germany in the early 1950s, and taught Art, and later relocated to Munich working as a sculptor in many media outlets. The medium was polyester and fiberglass, poly-chromed in oil with accessories. The Cement Worker was about the height of the average man, and was dressed like the typical man in the early 1970s in blue jeans, a plaid shirt, and natural hair, and appeared to be leaving the construction site after a long work day.
The next Modern exhibit was entitled the New Barbarians by Tim Noble and Sue Webster; Noble 1966, Webster 1967. Noble was born in Stroud UK, and Webster was born in Leicester UK. Both artists hold Degrees in Fine Art from Nottingham Polytechnic, and met while studying there. Noble and Webster are life partners as well as professional partners. The sculpture New Barbarians is a self portrait of the artists as Neanderthals. Although this couple appears naked and shorter than the average man and woman there was much talent and skill placed in this amazing work of art. The medium is fiberglass and translucent resin. The naked couple appear oblivious and without fear: the male and female’s facial features; eyes, nose, mouth, and ears are perfectly crafted. The skin appears lifelike, the veins appearing in the arms, the fingers and toes, rib cage and navel, breast and nipples, penis and scrotum. This display left me in awe.
The center of the Bruce Museum displayed the Setting the Stage: Twentieth Century Theater Model winning exhibits. The model that I was able to photograph was Mario Sala’s set model for Carmen, 1914, at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, made of paper and mixed media. The winning selections chosen for display, and are used to help plan and design the stage for Broadway plays. Mario Sala was born in Winterthur, Switzerland in 1965, and currently works and resides there.

Photos of my trip to Wadsworth Atheneum

Angela Thigpen
AH 251
Wadsworth Atheneum


I visited the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford, and had an extremely fascinating experience. There was a variety of artwork on display, especially historical in nature; such as a handwritten letter written by Abraham Lincoln on his thoughts about slavery and the Civil War, and many pieces furniture dating back a few centuries. There was also a beautiful oil on canvas of the The Charter Oak by Charles de Wolf Brownell this tree housed the Connecticut Charter hidden by Joseph Wadsworth, a descendant of one of the founder’s of the Wadsworth Atheneum, which was stored in the hollow part of the tree for safe keeping from the British government. I chose to focus on two pieces of art; the first is an oil on canvas by Frederick Lord Leighton entitled Hercules Wrestling with Death for the Body of Alcestis. The second is another oil on canvas by Salvador Dali entitled Apparition of Face and Fruit Dish on a Beach.
Frederick Leighton (1830-1896) was an English painter and learned how to draw when he was a young boy while in Rome. His family decided that he would become an artist, unlike his father and grandfather before him who were physicians. He started painting pictures at 18, and by 19 was studying in Paris and within a few months started taking art more seriously after it was discovered that he was a talented artist. Although Leighton was German he favored Italian art. As he progressed in his skill, he was not arrogant and was always willing to help his fellow artists no matter how inexperienced or seasoned they were. Leighton traveled throughout Europe, and was well liked and received by all that he met. As Leighton traveled he made sketches and paintings journaling all of his travels, similar to what one would do with a camera today, and decorated his home studio. Leighton was well recognized and highly honored; he became a Baron in 1886, and held many other prestigious honors before his death in 1896.
Leighton created many sacred paintings; one of which is a stunning painting entitled Hercules Wrestling with Death for the body of Alcestis: this classical art tells a lot about the artist, and displays Leighton’s skill and high quality elegance; the details of this painting leaves you in awe. The rich colors are beautiful – I never thought a painting could speak, but this depiction is voluminous! You can feel the movement and force as Hercules in muscular masculine form strong and brave wrestles with the dark dismal death angel. The muscle and perfect form of Hercules’ body exhibits his strength and courage. As they struggle Hercules refuses to allow death to win. There is a lion which I believe also symbolizes force and strength. The grip of death the dark winged dismal angel is fighting back against Hercules. The mourners shield themselves from the force are arrayed in soft pastels, the rich blue sea in the background, the white clouds displayed in the sky, Alcetis arrayed in her white resting garment, adorned with incense and myrrh. The white bearded older man protecting one of the women. The detail placed on the mourners from their garments to their facial expressions and hair is absolutely awesome.
The intertwining of scared beauty and spiritual force is amazing, this painting makes one believe that anything is possible, even defeating death. This quality creation speaks volumes about the creator/artist Leighton.
The second painting I chose is another oil on canvas by Salvador Dali (1904-1989), entitled Apparition of Face and Fruit Dish on a Beach. Dali was born in Northern Spain, and also like Leighton started drawing at a very early age. Dali studied art at the Royal Academy of Art in Madrid, but was expelled on several occasions and never completed art school. Dali traveled to Paris as a young man and met other painters and started to focus on the impression and surreal form of art. Dali focused on the unconscious form of art; surrealism or things that one would dream about, and this is depicted in the Apparition of Face and Fruit Dish on a Beach.
Dali was friends Alfred Hitchcock, and I can understand how they would have things in common, they seemed to think alike. Dali stopped painting surreal art, and started painting historical art. He was stricken with palsy in his later years and was forced to stop painting altogether. He is also the only known artist to have two museums dedicated solely to his work while alive, and two museums are named after him: The Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida and in Figueres, Spain. Dali lived in the tower of his art museum and also died in his museum in 1989.
As I approached the oil on canvas painting, my initial thought was this is a confusing display, but as I looked over the painting I was able to relate: everything is displayed in color, and you immediately see two eyes, a nose and mouth, and then you see a fruit bowl filled with olive colored pears. I also saw the side view of a dog one eye, nose, and mouth. The dog is wearing a collar which is also a bridge. The horizon is beautifully displayed in the background with white clouds and a mountain to the right. There is a naked man holding an object in his hand, and a broken rope and piece of clothing on the sand, probably belonging to the man. Although things appear confusing, I was able to comprehend this piece of art because this is what happens when one dreams; one’s collections of thoughts don’t always make sense. This also answers the question that many ask; do we dream in color? I believe we do.

Photos taken @ New Britian Musuem of Art

Angela Thigpen
New Britain Museum of Art

Romare H. Bearden - Early Morning
Photo Montage

Romare Howard Bearden was born in 1911 in North Carolina and was a well rounded individual, as well as a very versatile artist who enjoyed music, performing arts and world art. He was devoted to supporting younger upcoming artists. Bearden studied art at the Art Students League in New York and also at the Sorbonne in Paris. Bearden was also a well respected spokesman of art and social issues, and was the first director of the Harlem Cultural Council; an organization established for the advocacy of African American Culture.
He started his career as a lead cartoonist and art editor, and was known for his sculpture, mask, and textile or photomontage art style, which is exhibited in Early Morning. The photomontage artwork depicts African American culture: the young man is shown with prominent facial features; his haircut, forehead, eyes, nose, and mouth are made of different textures. The young man is sitting at the breakfast table, while I believe his mom is in the background wearing a head wrap. Head wraps are worn by women at night to protect the hair from the cotton pillowcase fabric, as well as the hairstyle. There is an older man in the background, the father perhaps preparing for the workday. The mask and textures on the young man are evident, and makes the photo appear lifelike.


Bearden was a social activist, and spent time as a social worker, and his connection to African American culture is evident in his depiction of Early Morning within the African American culture. He also had close ties to many well know writers, musicians, and artists such as: James Baldwin, Langston Hughes, Ralph Ellison, Alvin Ailey, and Jacob Lawrence just to name a few.


Christopher Gallego
Interior with Three Rooms
Oil on Canvas

Christopher Gallego was born in New York in 1959, and holds a Fine Arts Degree. He taught painting at the United Nations Fine Art Society, and currently teaches privately in New York, New Jersey, and The Hudson Valley.
If the picture was positioned closer to the floor, I would have thought there was another room within the museum. This painting appears to be rooms within a home; the open entry way, the telephone, stool, light switch on the wall, the door to the kitchen, the table and yellow kitchen walls and kitchen windows are amazing. The lines in the hardwood floors, the woodwork, and entryway are unbelievable. The floral design on the chair and the tin can keeping the door ajar appear so real. This is pure talent, and I can only describe this as magical, or a borderline illusion. If I did not go to the museum and see this myself, I would have thought this was another section or adjoining rooms within the museum.

My trip to the Metropolitan in New York

Angela Thigpen
AH 251
Metropolitan Museum of Art
February 17, 2009


I visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and overall had a good experience. I viewed many sculptures and exhibits, and would like to describe two life size marble sculptures that I found most interesting. First I will speak about the life size marble sculpture of Lucretia, by the artist Philippe Bertrand (1663-1704) which was carved during the Classical period. Bertrand was the son of a sculptor, and was well known for plaster over-mantels, bronze, and marble sculpting. The second marble sculpture that I chose is Perseus with the Head of Medusa, by the artist Antonio Canova (1757-1822) during the Neoclassicism movement. Canova was known as a talented carver of marble and also known as one of the greatest sculptors of his time in Europe. He was known for the Baroque and Rocco style sculpting. I was drawn to these life size marble sculptures because of the skilled details they both displayed.

Lucretia was known as a woman of virtue who was raped and took her own life because she was unable to live with the shame of the assault. Lucretia’s eyes are closed; her lips apparently show the gasping emotional and physical pain that she is feeling. The strands of Lucretia’s hair, and the ribbon tied around her head are skillfully carved. Her head is also titled to the side which is a sign of shame and despair. Her left breast is uncovered which may be symbolic of the assault, and the breast and nipple are detailed. The knife piercing Lucretia’s chest with each of her fingers carved and holding the handle of the knife is amazing. Her left hand rests on the bench supporting her weight.


Lucretia’s right arm is bent and the crease is carved at her elbow shows much detail. Her clothing is draped about her, and each of her legs is carved underneath her clothing. This marble sculpture appears so alive and lifelike. Although tragic this sculpture is a stunningly beautiful work of art.

The second piece of art that I chose is another larger than life marble sculpture of Perseus with the Head of Medusa. This skillfully carved marble statue speaks volumes: Perseus is displayed as valiant and strong, he stands tall; his posture is straight and erect. This is surely a sign of victory and triumph. I’m not sure if it matters that Medusa is already beheaded, but Perseus is able to look upon Medusa without fear, which no one has ever been able to do without turning to stone. Perseus’ head is turned to face his opponent, and his headgear and curly hair are also skillfully carved. His eyes, nose and mouth show how handsome Perseus was. The sculpting looks so life like; the structure and details of his neck, shoulders, and chest and down his torso, his navel, arms, wrist and fingers around his sword pulls you in and you feel as if you are an eyewitness to Medusa’s beheading. His male anatomy is also detailed, and his clothing is draped about him just so. The muscles in his calves and legs are so detailed as well as the lacing of his sandals.

Defeat appears to be the snake haired Medusa’s last facial expression after she was beheaded by Perseus. Medusa’s eyes, nose and mouth is skillfully carved and defeat is captured and skillfully displayed in this carving as Perseus shows off the spoils of victory.

Hi All, I guess I am not grasping this blog experience the way I should – I am going to give this one more try. I visited the Yale Center for British Art, and although all of the artwork had a story to tell, I found the artwork by Henry Wallis (1830-1916) and Augustus Leopold Egg (1816-1863) extremely interesting. I also chose William Quiller Orchardson’s The Story of Life interesting.Wallis’ The Death of Chatterton, an oil on panel ca. 1856 displays Thomas Chatterton. Chatterton was an author and poet and accomplished a lot in his young life, however, much of Chatterton’s work was forged. Once this forgery was exposed Chatterton was not able to face the shame and disgrace, so he decided to take his own life, before it could even begin, at the tender age of 17. Chatterton was found holding a half filled vile of arsenic with his forged work torn and scattered about the floor. This is a small painting similar to the larger painting on display at the Royal AcademyEgg’s paintings, The Life of Buckingham and The Death of Buckingham took two years to finish because Egg wanted to make certain that every detail was captured. The Life of Buckingham displays the Duke of Buckingham entertaining and having a good time. Buckingham was known for his love of entertaining and living a life of luxury and elegance, contrary to the quiet and simple life that was expected. The rich colors are exquisite – Buckingham is a handsome man seated at the center of the table wearing fine apparel the white shirt sleeves shows pleated details and he is also wearing a jeweled neckpiece. I believe he is wearing a wig because I can’t imagine his hair being that long and perfectly curled and coiffed. There is a woman dancing on the table and men and women are intermingling, and these women are believed to be mistresses. All of the men and women seated at the table appear to be dressed in fine apparel. The room appears to be exquisitely furnished; the chairs are in rich reds, and golden mirrors are designed throughout the room. This clearly shows that Buckingham had good taste and enjoyed the finer things of life.Egg’s The Death of Buckingham depicts the opposite of the life that Buckingham lived. Egg wanted to show how one’s life could end if they didn’t live a quite life and lacked morality. Egg shows Buckingham dead on a dirty mattress in a seedy hotel impoverished and alone. Buckingham’s face is as white as a sheet, and unlike the handsome entertaining host, Buckingham appears old and haggard. You would never think the man depicted in this painting is the same handsome man in the next painting. The bed dressing is dirty, torn and ragged, and the room looks dismal, old and unkempt. There is a plate of food lying on the floor unlike the table settings, candles, luxury and elegance Buckingham was used to while he lived.I also found William Quiller Orchardson, 1832-1920, oil on canvas 1866, The Story of Life fascinating, and ironically, the opposite of two of the other painting which depicted death. Six young girls dressed modestly in white or bright colors symbolic of innocence and purity listen intently as an older nun dressed in habit filled with wisdom and dedicated to morality and integrity takes the time to teach these young women about life. Each young woman listens and is engaged and receptive as the nun explains about how one should live and what is to be expected. The girls appear to be in thought or maybe even imagining what is in store for each of their lives. One girl has a book maybe even the Proverbs open on her lap. The room is sparsely furnished, and may even be a gathering place because each of the women appears comfortable and well acquainted with one another.I would consider the paintings expressive art, and the thesis or points displayed were life, morality, and death. Overall I had a great experience, I only brought my camera and writing material in to the museum, the atmosphere was friendly, and there were many others in attendance, especially groups of people touring.

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