Lost in Jersey - The Musings of a Displaced New Yorker

"Cezanne and Pissarro at MoMA"

One of the latest exhibitions at the newly re-opened Museum of Modern Art, affectionately called MoMA, is "Pioneering Modern Painting:  Cezanne and Pissarro 1865-1885".  Located on the 6th floor, this is an impressive show that pairs works from each artist over an extended period of time while they were painting in the same towns throughout France.  Using an interesting approach, the exhibition allows you to compare each of the artists stroke for stroke placing pictures of the same town or subject side by side.  BTW - can you tell who is who to the left??

I found the show quite overwhelming and illustrative of the competive nature of their relationship.  Stylistically different, I found myself drawn to Cezanne's pieces because of their bold brushstrokes.  By comparison, I found Pissarro more diffident.  Favored pieces included Cezanne's "Landscape, Auvers-sur-Oise c.1874" which used indigo to highlight the roofsof one building drawing me in to focus and marvel at his bold use of color.  I found myself appreciating Cezanne's color palate more for unique combinations that were startling yet lovely.  Again- for me Pissarro didn't quite match up except for the "Kitchen Garden, Trees in Flower" at Pontoise where I loved his use of detail on the tree in the forefront of the painting.

For true fans - this is an a dream come true considering the sheer number of pieces - over 80 plus several drawings.  Sadly, I think Pissarro look diminished next to Cezanne but that is my opinion only.  The exhibit is open until September 12, 2005.

MoMa is located at 11 West 53rd Street between 5th and 6th Avenues.  Phone:  212-708-9400.  Museum hours:  Sat-Mon, 9:30am - 5:30pm; closed Tuesday, Thurs, 9:30pm-5:30pm and Fri, 9:30am - 8:00pm.  Admission is $20.  A full overview of MoMA to come shortly.

Psst...Cezanne's "The House of the Hanged Man is on the left; Pissarro's "The Conversion" is on the right.

Matisse: The Fabric of Dreams-His Art and His Textiles

There is only one month left which is why I am introducing The Metropolitan Museum on my blog with an exhibit instead of an overview.  Matisse:  The Fabric of Dreams-His Art and His Textiles is a wonderful display of over 45 painted works and 31 drawings illustrating the influence of fabrics, clothes and costumes in this master's works.   The exhibit couples the works with fabulous hanging of the fabrics in all their colorful wonder.  Many of these textiles have not been seen in public since Matisse's death in 1954.

The first salon shows more traditional fabrics including a gorgeous carpet of silk with an orange border.  The luminous strands stand out when coupled with other cottons and brocade fabrics.  You only have to turn left to see how Matisse used these as inspiration in his art.  I was stunned by how I had overlooked his use of fabrics in his art - now it became an obsession to identify his use - to look at the art with a completely new eye and appreciation.

You are allowed to explore the cultural influences of North African through the use of costumes and screens which is most evident in my favorite pictures of the exhibit, "Seated Odalisque" and "Moorish Screen".  The translucency of the blouse in "Seated Odalisque" is lovely and simple against the ornate background.  Other memorable fabrics included a collection of Romanian Blouses which were intricately embroidered and ethereal in composition.  Finally, the last salon shows the lovely leaf motifs from the 1940's and a complete change in artistic style that is modern and stark.  For a quick overview of theses images,  click on this link:  http://www.metmuseum.org/special/Matisse_Textiles/images.asp.

The Matisse exhibit is perfect for those of us who do not have an extensive critical background. Those of us who don't always see or look for the context.  Those of us who like 'pretty pictures' without the knowledge of its historical or stylistic significance.  I do not confess I am an art critic - the exact opposite is true.  Art either hits me emotionally or not.  What interests me may not interest you - but that is the fun of it - isn't it? 

The Matisse exhibit runs until September 25, 2005. The Metropolitan Museum is located on 1000 Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street.  The General phone number is 212-535-7710.  The museum's operating hours are:  Tues-Thurs, 9:30am-5:30pm; Fri and Sat, 9:30am-9:00pm.  The museum is closed on Mondays.  For more information, please visit:  http://www.metmuseum.org