Art on a rainy morning, what could be better? While in Chicago, I had a morning free to visit the Art Institute of Chicago. A wonderful place! The first major art museum I’ve visited since returning back to the US. I enjoyed the opportunity to see some new works of some of the painters I came to appreciate while in Europe, and learn more about American artists as well. The museum allows photos too – a very happy day for me!! My experience of art is always deepened if I can capture it with my camera.
Since I had limited time and I know what periods of art I like, I focused my visit on specific areas. American Modern Art (1900-1950), European Modern Art (1900-1950), and Contemporary Art (1945-1960). I also popped through Contemporary Art (1960 and later), Architecture and Design (special exhibit on Bertrand Goldberg), and Photography (although they were resetting the photography exhibit and most of it wasn’t open – sad!).
As always, I was drawn to abstracts with bright colors. Paintings that highlight gradations and transitions between color in unusual ways attract me. A new find this trip was German painter Franz Marc, I loved this painting called The Bewitched Mill. Very much like my favorite Italian Futurists of a similar time. I am always drawn to the art of 1900-1920 or so.
I just loved his use of color! Isn’t it gorgeous?
Emily, this last one is just for you. (Bueller… ? Bueller… ?)
PS – Lightroom 3 Update: I edited all of these in Lightroom this morning! I’ve had absolutely no instruction (books are on their way!) but I’m finding it intuitive to use and in some ways much simpler than Photoshop Elements. I will keep you posted as I progress!
I love that first photo – the way you set it up with the doorway – perfection.
What a lovely morning you had. The first photo reminds me of the National Gallery in London where there's a vista through several galleries ending in a huge picture (can't remember what it is!). But they actually cheated and made the pillars framing the far openings slightly smaller to enhance the feeling of perspective – clever, huh!!
Cassatt is one of my favorites because of her everyday-ness and focus on the lives of women and children. It's nice when the familiar is reflected in art as a universal — you know? I'd love to do a photo project one day imitating some of her paintings : http://www.marycassatt.org/
LR is much more intuitive that photoshop and I love the way the modules are set up — follow them along the right-hand column and you've got a great workflow going!