Don't get upset at the title...DAM is the acronym for Denver Art Museum. The Bride, Ladder Lady and myself took a trip there yesterday. The "cultural complex consists of several buildings but the new art museum is pictured above. The building, designed by Daniel Libeskind was completed in 2006 to rave architectural reviews. Personally I think it's a bit over the top and I wonder how well it will age.
The reason for our visit was to see an exhibit of paintings by E.L. Blumenschein the famous member of the Taos Society of Artists. Blumenschein was an incredibly gifted artist and most of his works have been described as "post-impressionist" and "modernist". I would lean towards the modernist description but his style was realist enough that his pictures clearly portray the image. No guessing needed. That probably is a result of his early illustrator career. Most of his subjects were related to the Southwest. Indians, frontiersmen and New Mexico landscape an
d the like.It was great. I was fascinated not only with the subject matter but the coloration and lighting of the paintings as well. The exhibit consisted of 66 of his most famous paintings and we studied them for a couple of hours before we headed off to lunch at the museum restaurant "Palettes". This is quite the "tony" spot for lunch and Ladder Lady was suitably impressed.....the food was good too.
After lunch we went across the street for a tour of the historic Byers/Evans House. The house dates to 1883 and was home to two different prominent Colorado families: William Byers, the founder of the Rocky Mountain News and William Evans, son of Colorado's first governor. The house was occupied by the Evans family until 1981 when it was given to the Colorado Historical Society so unlike many historical houses, this house and it's contents are 99% authentic. Everything in the house was actually owned and used by the families.
We managed to finish our little expedition just before the afternoon rush hour so it was a very good day.
Today the rush is on to make final preparations for the arrival of CaJenn and CaJon tomorrow and to lay in supplies for the party on Saturday evening to celebrate The Brides college graduation. It will be a memorable event and I plan to take lots of pictures so stay tuned.
Thanks for visiting.
3 comments:
I wouldn't know one painting style from another. I either like it...or not.
I went to the Blumenschein exhibit last Saturday. I thought his Southwestern landscapes were fantastic--wish I had one hanging in my office, but at what price would that happen?
We also looked at the Houden sculptures. Did you see those? So lifelike, almost creepy, Chuckie-like in their glittering eyes.
Nothing like posing and being swept away...Cool!!! :)
Post a Comment