Yay! I have a great art museum nearby! {Insert celebratory dance here.} My visit to the Portland Art Museum on Wednesday was very fun and exciting, mainly for the discovery of a wonderful art museum close to home. After visiting some of the most amazing art museums in Europe, I’ve wondered what I would find when I moved back. Since I wasn’t into art before living in Italy, I hadn’t visited this museum before, despite living only 90 miles away for 11 years. I was pleasantly surprised at the size and scope of the museum. I decided to become a member so I can visit whenever we head to Portland. I already have plans to visit again in a few weeks, as there are several special exhibits going on that I didn’t have time to see on this visit.

One of the current exhibits I did see is Titian’s La Bella. This is quite exciting for the museum to host. I thought it was ironic that after seeing many of Titian’s works in Italy, this is one of the first special exhibits I find at the Portland Art Museum.

I found it a very emotional experience to walk into the European section of the museum to get to the La Bella exhibit, seeing works ranging from Gothic triptychs to Flemish still lifes, so much of what I had seen across Europe. I even wanted to linger at the numerous Madonna col Bambino paintings, just for the nostalgia. Ironic, when I would cruise through whole museums filled with paintings like these, just to get to the one or two painters I especially liked. Now I have an appreciation for these works that goes beyond art history, it’s an emotional appreciation I can’t quite describe in words.

I did get to the photography exhibition I was looking for, Through the Looking Glass: Photography’s use of Windows, Doorways and Mirrors. As a big fan of photographing windows and doors, I was looking forward to seeing this. It was compiled from the museum’s collection of photographs and it did not disappoint. One of my favorites was this work, San Juan (Home Theater) by Oscar Pintor. I would have been in heaven to come across this scene!

I also very much resonated with two Minor White photos, Water Street, Portland and Chinese Laundry. While I’m aware of his work as a groundbreaking American photographer, I don’t think I’ve seen his work in person before. I was struck by my reaction to his images.

There were many other wonderful works in this exhibition, you can view them in the online gallery here. If you are in the area be sure to stop in and see it while it’s on display, through February 28, 2012.

One of the best things about this museum… minus the special exhibitions, you can photograph in the museum. Yay! My enjoyment of an art museum is always enhanced when I can photograph and capture my personal experience with my camera. On this visit, I was drawn to the forms and play of light and shadows of the sculptures. I especially liked the shadows and light in this piece, Artifact Panel by William Morris.

All in all, a great visit and the promise of many more to come.