I had a emergency last night at work, causing some frustration and a late arrival home. However, when I walked in the door dinner was coming off the stove, a glass of wine pored and chilled, and I was presented with two tickets to the High Museum of Art. Needless to say, I am a very lucky girl!
Last night the High had a jazz band playing on the main level of the gallery, was serving cocktails and hourdourves, and most importantly showcasing one of the 7 wonders of the Art world: Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring. This was Charles’ first visit to the High, so we spent a great deal of time walking through their Permeant gallery and visiting the interactive art stations that explain common techniques. One of the more interesting displays was how oil paint changes appearance based on the material of the artwork. It is most rich in color on canvas while very dull on cardboard. As we viewed the gallery, we could spot the cardboard works thanks to this tutorial.
Charles eye for photography gave him a very interesting perspective when viewing the paintings. There were several that he noted an inconsistency in the shadows with respect to light source. Something I would have not of thought of in a million years, but it was one of the first things out of his mouth. It became a game as we walked through the gallery and viewed hundreds of landscapes, portraits, and still life’s. Fortunately Rembrandt, the master of light and shadow, did not disappoint Charles critical eye. Rembrandt’s self portrait was on display: what an incredible thing to be able to create a such an accurate likeness.
As for the main event: the Girl with the Pear Earring is absolutely beautiful. Charles was impressed by how her face had no brush strokes while her clothes had several giving the appearance of a deep texture. I was amazed how her eyes and mouth looked so alive – truly you feel as if she is looking out of the frame about to engage you in some haunting story. I was so excited to see this masterpiece, and will cherish the memory Charles created for life!
It is a beautiful day so we are going to get out there and enjoy the sunshine while it lasts… I am sure it will be raining again soon. A brief search of Atlanta rain fall history taught us that it has rained more inches so far this year than it did all of 2012! The sunshine has become something of a myth –