Sailing Ships at the Florence Girswold

Van Gogh at The Clark

It is always a treat to visit The Clark and when they offer a major exhibition like Van Gogh and Nature, the trip become an extraordinary experience.  In late June Jim decided to take me on a trip to celebrate my retirement and also to set the stage for the upcoming golf season.  We first went to Saratoga to catch two performances of the NYCity Ballet at the SPA while enjoying all that the Gideon Putnam had to offer.  On Sunday morning we headed out of Saratoga Spring to Williamstown with custom packed picnic lunch.  We absolutely amazed when we got to Williamstown to find the cars spilled out from the Clark down the road.  However, we were fortunate that many people came to the museum early and we were able to find a parking space and then eat our lunch.  After lunch Jim headed off to the golf course and I found my way into the museum and the van Gogh in the new gallery.

VAN GOGH and NATURE 

The major summer exhibition for the summer of 2015 was Van Gogh and Nature and oh, what an exhibition.  It was mounted in the new wing and took up every inch of the gallery space.   There were over 50 paintings and drawings supplemented by works of artists such as Monet, Millet and Hiroshige.  van Gogh's works are arranged in chronological order.  I recognized many old favorites, but many of the work done towards the end of his life were new to me.  I was particularly moved by the work in did while in residence in Auvers-sur-Oise.

The Yellow House

Bedroom in Auers

The Yellow House and the bedroom are two favorites from period when van Gogh was in Arles.

Red Poppies with Daisies

Parian Novels, 1887

Van Gogh did a number of still life paintings.  While they are not as special to me as his landscapes, they still a delight the eye.  While I am not sure these were on display at The Clark, I think they are unique  - especially his books.

The thing that impressed me most about the van Gogh exhibit at the Clark were the number of wonderful paintings that were done towards the end of his life while he was hospitalized.  There are absolutely amazing!

The Olive Trees

Van Gogh seemed always to have been a prolific painter, but the number of wonderful paintings van Gogh did in his final years is a sure sign of his passion and need to paint.  The colors and shapes inspire and delight.  However, the last picture in the show and I read somewhere the last picture he ever painted is just about my most favorite.  The Rain is simply extraordinary!  I just love it as I love The Clark.

Hokusai at the MFA

In late June, the Florence Griswold Museum sponsored a trip to the MFA in Boston for the Hokusai exhibition.  Although I was unfamiliar with Hokusai's work and not sure how interested I was in Japanese printing making in general, one can not pass up the opportunity to go to Boston and learn about a new artist and art form.  My willingness to go outside the box was rewarded.  The exhibition included more than 200 work from the MFA's collection by Katsushika Hokusai including the iconic Great Wave.  I now know why the art world is so enthusiastic about the work of Hokusai.