Highlights Tour of the Wadsworth Atheneum

Morgan Great Hall - Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford, CT

   We had a great time at the Wadsworth Atheneum Sunday. I did something I  hadn't done in many years - went on a docent lead tour of the  Museum Highlights. In a museum this size, it must be difficult to narrow the choices down to just a few that can be fit into an hour of walking and discussion, but our docent did a phenomenal job! He zeroed in on a few paintings of women, or that included women, but also included Connecticut artists and contemporary artists. Here are few of the paintings we saw.

Self-Portrait as a Lute Player, Artemisia Gentileschi, Collection of the Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford, CT

   First up was this self-portrait painted by a female artist of the 17th century, Artemisia Gentileschi. What a coincidence! I have a postcard of this painting hanging in my computer armoir. I look at it daily and draw strength from her determination to support herself independently in an era when women artists were frowned on by the salons. Quite a few years ago, I read an historical fiction, The Passion of Artemisia, by Susan Vreeland. I find her story of rape by a mentor, in a blame-the-victim culture and era of the subjugation of women, to be more and more relevant with each passing day. The burden of proof was on Artemisia then as it often is today. My hope is for today's #MeToo Movement to change this injustice once and for all. Look into Artemisia's face and feel the sad emotion behind her gaze.

Designed by Connecticut Artist Sol LeWitt, this swirling band of color tops the elegant Morgan Building Stairwell

   Next, we changed gears. Walking into the Morgan Building stairwell we were greeted by joyous pops of color, curved to echo the marble arches, and serving as a counter balance to the elegant but pale marble paneling and stairwell. This Sol LeWitt designed painting demonstrates the Wadsworth's commitment to represent Connecticut artists, as well as contemporary era art.

The Lawrence Tree, Georgia O'Keefe, Collection of Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford, CT

   Back to women artists - this Georgia O'Keefe takes some observation to understand. What is it? Think for a moment. Do you see the night sky? How about the shadow of tree top leaves? Now do you see the tree trunk leading to the branches? Where are you - the viewer? I picture myself lying down on a blanket under the tree, on a warm end-of-summer night. Staring up at the night sky, I'm dreaming of far away places...

Toks Adewetan (The King of Glory), 2016, Kehinde Wiley,  Wadsworth Atheneum Museum

   I fell in love with this contemporary portrait by Kehinde Wiley. Wiley is known for approaching strangers and asking to paint their portrait. He gets to know them, and has his sitters choose an historic portrait they would like to see themselves in. Toks Adewetan chose a 14th century Russian painting of Christ. He did not adopt the exact pose of Christ in that painting, instead letting his own personality shine through. Wiley painted the portrait in a photo realistic style, later adding background and foreground that replicates William Morris designed wallpaper. The result is a colorful interweaving of design, person-hood, and history, that is filled with religious symbolism. Christianity is seen in the pomegranates which represent Christ, the drips of red fruit are Christ's sorrow and blood, the seeds are symbols of resurrection, and the thorny branches Christ's crown of thorns. Other religions are symbolized as well. Adewetan wears around his neck both an Ankh (Egyptian symbol of life), and a green Buddha (environmentalism and Buddhism).

President Barack Obama, Kahinde Wiley, National Portrait Gallery, Washington, D.C.

   Another portrait, by Wiley, you may be familiar with is President Barack Obama. This one is not at the Wadsworth, but I've included it for comparison. Here Obama is seated in the current day's political concept of making leaders appear approachable, on the same level as the viewer - an every man. The background is not a wallpaper design, but living greenery and flowers highlighting Obama's personal and ancestral past—blue lilies for Kenya (his father's homeland); jasmine for Hawaii (his childhood home); and chrysanthemums for Chicago (his current home). For me the painting as a whole symbolizes the past (ancestry and childhood), the present (he has recently retired from the presidency), and the future (his return to Chicago and contemplation over how he will spend his time in retirement). I also see the living greenery as showing both his deep roots and connections to family and community, as well as his relative youth at retirement. He is not finished, but very much alive, continuing to grow, and preparing to add to his vibrant legacy. I'd love to know more about the choice of the chair, as I'm sure it also carries great meaning.

Young Lady with the Shiner, Norman Rockwell, Collection of Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford, CT

  After our tour, we lunched at the museum's restaurant, The Untitled Bistro. Great service and great food fueled us enough to meander through the museum unguided. All three of us were drawn to this Norman Rockwell painting. We saw pride in the young girl's face as she stood up for herself and gave as good as she got. We were amused by the 1950's era school staff who clearly didn't know what to do with this child. A boy probably would have received a paddling, but a girl? in a fight? A passing docent shared with us that when she takes young children on tours, the students bring up the serious subject of bullying. None of us saw that - What a difference a generation (or 2) makes!

Self-Portrait, Thomas Sully, Collection of Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford, CT

   Last, we found ourselves intrigued by this self-portrait of Thomas Sully. Half-hidden in shadow, he seems almost ashamed to show himself. Learning to paint from his older brother and a brother-in-law, as well as renowned portrait artist Gilbert Stuart, we wondered if at age 24 he felt over-shadowed by their status. He needn't have worried, as he went on to paint the likes of Thomas Jefferson and Queen Victoria. Sully's portraits hang in many museums around the world.

One final note - Before you head off to a museum, check your local library for free passes! Donna found one that admitted two for free. We split the cost for the third ticket, making admission a very affordable $4! Enjoy!

See books by Laura S. Pringle on Amazon

 The Pringle Plan is a series of educational guides. 

 ©2018 Laura S. Pringle. All Rights Reserved.