Dutch and Flemish Masters at the Legion
Prepared to be dazzled by the exhibit at the Legion of Honor showing Dutch and Flemish masterworks from the Rose-Marie and Eijk van Otterloo Collection, now through October 2, 2011. 
I liked the way the paintings were organized with explanations of what was going on at the time. Over 70 portraits, still lifes, landscapes, history paintings, maritime scenes, city profiles and genre scenes—depict life in the 1600s as the Dutch Republic increased in maritime strength and came to dominate international trade - the Netherlands was the happening place in the 1600s. What would be the equivalent today? Perhaps Silicon Valley in terms of new wealth, or New York City for being a financial center?
Seeing these paintings makes me wonder what would today's still life paintings depict? What are our symbols and what would be the message? A Birkin bag, an IPhone, and IPad, a plate of sushi, keys to a luxury car, and then one would need a moralistic object...something that says even though you have all this "stuff", you are not fulfilled or your wealth is precarious. The stock market chart (it's been crazy recently) or maybe something to do with infertility.
Hours 9:30 to 5:15 Tuesdays through Sundays
Closed Mondays
This is what i did...i got there around 10 am and had a cup of coffee in their light filled cafe. Properly fueled, I went to the exhibit and it was possible to look at each painting up close without having to maneuver around crowds. Inspired by the work, I took notes. It was then time for lunch and so I went back to the cafe to order from their specially designed menu reflecting the current exhibit. In fact, each dish was in Dutch with an English explanation. And it was delicious.
I liked the way the paintings were organized with explanations of what was going on at the time. Over 70 portraits, still lifes, landscapes, history paintings, maritime scenes, city profiles and genre scenes—depict life in the 1600s as the Dutch Republic increased in maritime strength and came to dominate international trade - the Netherlands was the happening place in the 1600s. What would be the equivalent today? Perhaps Silicon Valley in terms of new wealth, or New York City for being a financial center?
Seeing these paintings makes me wonder what would today's still life paintings depict? What are our symbols and what would be the message? A Birkin bag, an IPhone, and IPad, a plate of sushi, keys to a luxury car, and then one would need a moralistic object...something that says even though you have all this "stuff", you are not fulfilled or your wealth is precarious. The stock market chart (it's been crazy recently) or maybe something to do with infertility.
Hours 9:30 to 5:15 Tuesdays through Sundays
Closed Mondays
This is what i did...i got there around 10 am and had a cup of coffee in their light filled cafe. Properly fueled, I went to the exhibit and it was possible to look at each painting up close without having to maneuver around crowds. Inspired by the work, I took notes. It was then time for lunch and so I went back to the cafe to order from their specially designed menu reflecting the current exhibit. In fact, each dish was in Dutch with an English explanation. And it was delicious.
Comments