A visit to The Minneapolis Institute of Arts

 I recently visited The Minneapolis Institute of Arts; even though it's not anywhere near NYC, I would like to write a few lines about it in this blog, as it's definitely worth a visit should you find yourself in the area.  The museum has a vast collection of European and American art from early 1900s and before.  You will find on display artists such as Bouguereau, Sargent and Rembrandt. Some of the most representative pieces can be seen below.  Also in the museum is a great collection of Asian art and artifacts, as well as contemporary Western art.  The museum is adjacent to the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, MCAD, a well known art school in the Twin Cities.  Admission to the museum is free of charge. 

Albert Joseph Moore, Battledore, Oil on Canvas

Chardin, The Attributes of the Arts and the Rewards Which Are Accorded to Them, Oil on Canvas

Bartolome Esteban Murillo, Penitent Magdelene, Oil on Canvas

Jean-Leon Gerome, The Carpet Merchant, Oil on Canvas

Henri Fantin-Latour, Roses, Oil on Canvas

Museum Atrium

Jacob Collins' New Works at Christie's

Jacob Collin's show at Christie's has been one of the most inspirational exhibitions I have seen all year.  30 recent works of his were on display in the large, elegant gallery, in midtown Manhattan.  The views from the gallery are spectacular.  The artwork is wonderful.  In particular I was amazed by his drawings, which were grouped in one room, and shared a deep emotional quality and superb execution.  More details and images can be found here:

http://www.christiesprivatesales.com/exhibitions/jacobcollins/

Paul G. Oxborough at Eleanor Ettinger Gallery

Paul G. Oxborough is an incredible artist from Minneapolis, MN.  Go and see his show at Eleanor Ettinger Gallery in NYC if you can.  He has 36 paintings on display there, which include a couple of outstanding self portraits, many interiors, and some outdoor scenes.  All the work is dynamically lit and lively.  While generally large some of the most interesting paintings of his are the small ones (see the last two photos, the paintings are around 6" x 8").   More information about the show can be found here: http://www.eegallery.com/exh/12.10/inx1.html  Enjoy!

Mantegna to Matisse at the Frick Museum

The Frick museum has an incredible exhibition of drawings on view, until Jan 27th, titled Mantegna to Matisse: Master Drawings from the Courtauld Gallery.  More information is available on their website, from which I cite: "This exhibition marks the first time that so many of the principal drawings in The Courtauld's renowned collection — one of Britain's most important — have been made available for loan."  I was very pleased to look at superb drawings by Michelangelo, Pontormo, Ribera and many more.  There are some modern drawings on view as well, from Degas, and Picasso among others.  An all encompassing and truly amazing show. Go see it!

http://www.frick.org/exhibitions/courtauld

Pontormo, Seated Youth, 1520

Converge, Where Classical and Contemporary Art Collide

If you were in NYC recently I hope you had a chance to visit 25CPW Gallery near Columbus Circle, to see the show 'Converge' (Nov 15 -27). This is one of the best group shows I've seen this year, a wonderful collection "featuring 31 internationally recognized professional painters who are effectively melding the best of the classical and contemporary art wolds."  Below are photos of some of my favorite pieces.  You can see all of them here: http://www.convergeartnyc.com/.  The exhibition is curated by Allison Malafronte, senior editor for the American Artist's Magazine.  Thanks Allison for a fantastic show!

Adam Miller, Dusk, oil, 36" x 48"

Diane Feissel, The Uncertain Silence, 2011, oil, 12" x 9"

Greg Mortensen, Self Portrait, 2012, oil 16" x 13"

Jordan Sokol, Undertow, oil, 21" x 19"

Jeremy Mann, The Forgotten, 2012, oil, 48" x 48"

Dürer to de Kooning at the Morgan Library in NYC

Last week I went to the Morgan Library and saw the Dürer to de Kooning: 100 Master Drawings from Munich exhibition.  The show is divided in two rooms, one dedicated to old masters drawings, the other to works by modern artists.  The show offers wonderful drawings for every taste.  For those who like classical works this show is a must see.  It includes incredible drawings by Raphael, Titian, Michelangelo, Pontormo, Leonardo da Vinci etc. For more details here is a link to the show.  Enjoy!

Jacopo Pontormo (1494–1557)
Two Standing Women, after 1530?
Light and dark red chalk, stumped

Robert Armetta shows at SUNY

A wonderful video describing Robert Armetta's show at Farmingdale State Collegecan be seen here.  The show is elegant and inspiring, and definitely worth the trip to Long Island. I had a great time at the opening, chatting with enthusiastic artists, and studying the artwork carefully.  I learned a thing or two from this great artist and teacher. Check it out!

 

Self-Portraits II @ Eleanor Ettinger Gallery, NY

 Eleanor Ettinger Gallery is now showing a wonderful self portrait exhibition at it's 57th street location in Manhattan. It includes artists as famous as Degas, and as accomplished as Daniel Greene.  In this exhibition my favorite piece is a self portrait by Paul G Oxborough, an artist who studied in Minneapolis MN, at Atelier Lesueur.  Here are some photos from the show, if you are in the area check it out!

D Greene, Oil on Linen

D. Greene, Pastel on Board

Zack Zdrale, Oil on Canvas

Paul Oxborough, Oil on canvas

H Holland, Oil on canvas

E Degas, Oil on paper laid on canvas

Oxborough, oil on linen

Rob Liberace' solo show at Arcadia in Soho

Rob Liberace is showing recent work at Arcadia Gallery in Soho.  I was not able to go to the opening night, and I'm sorry I missed the two hour demo he did.  Yet, there is much to learn from just seeing his paintings and drawings.  First of all, the works are incredibly dynamic, and he accomplishes that not only by the overall pose, but also by not erasing other positions of the body parts from different moments in time.  He then composes beautiful figures with incredible attention to the human anatomy.  He is known as a master in anatomy, and it's definitely worth seeing his mastery in person.

Rob Liberace, Pointing the Way, Oil on Canvas

Rob Liberace, Standing Atlas, oil on canvas

About Brad Kunkle's opening night at Arcadia, Hersh Gallery,Vincent Desiderio at NYAA, and more

This week-end I went to two art openings and two lectures.  All four events were wonderful.  The New York Academy of Art hosted Xie Dongming, the head of the Third Studio of Oil Painting Department at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing.  He presented a slideshow that included student artwork as well as his own.  I found the presentation interesting and the paintings very well executed for the most part.  Also Vincent Desiderio spoke at NYAA about his own work, and his experiences in the art world.  This was another very informative and inspiring talk. I believe both of these lectures will be available on NYAA Vimeo page and I highly recommend them.

The pictures below are from Brad Kunkle's art show opening at Arcadia, this past Saturday.  The gallery was packed, and the show sold out in the first 28 minutes!  A well deserved recognition for this accomplished artist.  You can see the entire catalog on Arcadia's website.

Finally, the Long Island Academy of Fine Art has opened a brand new gallery, Hersh Fine Art. It is now showing a selection of works from a group of NYAA alumni.  The opening night was wonderful, and if you are in the area I recommend you stop by.

Brad Kunkle, Switch, Oil with Gold and Silver Leaf, 16"x16"

Patricia Watwood @ Forbes Galleries

I have recently seen Patricia Watwood's Myths and Individuals exhibition at the Forbes Galleries in NY.   The show consists of 30 some paintings and drawings created in the last decade.   Some of the works link directly to the mythological theme, such as Flora, and Bacchus, while others focus more on the individual, see portrait of Dan Thompson or that of Christopher Forbes.  She has also included a number of self portraits that stand out, especially those linked to the mother and child theme.  I also found of interest the quality of the preparatory sketches, and studies she has done for certain paintings, which in some cases stand out even more than the final piece.  Overall her work is sensitive and well executed, and the show is definitely worth seeing.

Flora, 2000, Oil on Canvas 35 x 24 in

Gemini, detail, 2008, Oil on canvas 44 x 40 in