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FAS 101 09 October 2011 My First Museum Trip When I read this assignment I realized that I have never actually been to an art museum. I immediately logged onto the computer and discovered that I live only a few miles from the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk, Va. I was very interested to put the things that I have learned during my art class to use in the museum. Although I was not sure what style of art I would like or dislike, I was going to take my time and look at them all. The Chrysler Museum has wide range of collections such as European, American, Modern, Ancient, Photography, Contemporary, and Decorative Arts.
With many paintings, sculptures, and designs from several different artist. I enjoyed the section dedicated to local artist from the Norfolk area. It was nice to see the museum display so many different things and give so many details about each piece. After walking through, looking at each piece, and feeling a connection to just a few paintings in the museum I picked my favorite collection. Albert Bierstadt, The Emerald Pool, 1870 The American painting and sculpture collection was my favorite followed close with the European Collection.
The Emerald Poll, by Albert Bierstadt is an oil painting on canvas from 1870. This painting really enjoyed and quickly became my favorite. I really liked the use of the colors and textures used to create a place of total peace. The linear perspective of the painting allows you to flow up the stream and through the mountains rising through the mist in the distance. The contrast of the emerald pool makes it appear cool and inviting. I really enjoyed this painting and wished that the museum had more of Albert Bierstadt’s work on display.
The details made me feel like I could step into the painting and all my troubles would fade away into the mist. I would be able to breathe a deep breath of fresh air and my son could lie on blanket and watch all beautiful colors. This was one of Albert Bierstadt’s earliest landscape paintings. It was of a popular tourist attraction on the Peabody River near Mount Washington. He was known for other landscapes such as the Rocky Mountains and Yosemite Valley. He was known for emphasizing atmospheric elements and changing small details of the landscape to add awe to the painting.
I really enjoy the paintings that I can see myself in or that tells me a story from a time or place that I have never been. The American and European paintings always had my attention. The Contemporary Art collection at the Chrysler Museum did not impress me in any way. I could easily that I did not like any of the pieces, but for purposes of this paper the Enamel on canvas by Jackson Pollock an American (1912-1956) was my least favorite. Jackson Pollock, Enamel, 1951 The Enamel had no form and the value of black made for more of a mess then anything to me.
Although it proved to be the most famous of his works, I do not see any true art form in the painting. There is no harmony, no balance, and no focal points. Many may be able to look into this piece and find a meaning or a feeling, I cannot. I was surprised to discover one of Jackson Pollock’s paintings in the art museum that I was in after reading about him in my art book. He was known for his rebellious spirit and evolved the method of dripping and spilling paint on a huge canvas on the floor. This method became known as action painting.
Pollock believed that by painting this way that he could actually be in harmony with the painting, unaware of what he was doing. There are so many wonderful pieces of art by so many wonderful artists at The Chrysler Museum in Norfolk, Va. I’m very glad that I was able to take time and enjoy all these wonderful pieces and I am very thankful that I know a little more about them then I did a few weeks ago. I Plan on sharing this experience with my son as soon as he is old enough. Work Cited Albert Bierstadt – The Complete Works of Arts.
Creative Commons. 2002 – 2011. http://www. albertierstadt. org/ Bierstadt, Albert. The Emerald Pool. 1870. Norfolk. Va. 07 Oct. 2011 http://www. chrysler. org/our-collection/collection-highlights/american-paintin g– sculpture/ Pollock, Jackson. The Enamel. 1951. Norfolk. Va. 07 Oct. 2011 http://www. chrysler. org/our-collection/collection-highlights/american-painting– sculpture/ Sporre, Dennis. Reality Through The Arts 7Th Edition. Pearson: Upper Saddle River, NJ. 2010