Category: Art

Return to Manhattan

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TULIPS AND MANHATTANS

After our abbreviated visit in December, we’re back in Manhattan for several weeks.  Being here this time of year is a tradition, and we always anticipate the colorful tulips along Park Avenue, in Jefferson Garden, and in small beds encircling sidewalk trees.  Despite cold and extremely windy weather, there were tulips in bloom, and even some that hadn’t yet been blown apart.  And we spied some bright daffodils. It felt more like brisk March than almost May, making me very grateful for my down jacket and several layers of fleece.

Daffodils on a Manhattan street

Our first night’s dinner is always at Sel et Poivre, a cozy French restaurant on Lexington.  The Chief Penguin orders his favorite Manhattan (we are in Manhattan after all) and I a glass of Chardonnay.  The prix fixe menu is still a good deal, and he went for the green bean salad, roast chicken, and, of course, profiteroles.  This time I opted for simplicity with the chicken paillard accompanied by dressed greens and fries.  Then I tacked on a scoop of raspberry sorbet with chocolate sauce!  This was the perfect ending to a trip that began in 80+ Sarasota and ended in chilly New York. 

HOLBEIN: AN ART LOLLIPOP

Erasmus of Rotterdam

One of the several current exhibits at the Morgan Library is Holbein the Younger’s works and it’s appropriately called, Capturing Character.  Hans Holbein excelled at expressive portraits of noted figures of the day such as Erasmus.  He also painted merchants, members of the Hanseatic League, and other upper-class men and women.  Active in the early 1500’s, he also produced drawings for early books, images for jewelry, and rondels for society’s elite.  

Two of Holbein’s contemporaries are also included, Jan Gossaert and Quentin Metsys.  The real treat for me was seeing up close Holbein’s portrait of Sir Thomas More, previously viewed at the Frick Collection, but from a greater distance.  Here, one really appreciates Holbein’s depiction of facial expression and the rich colors of clothing and drapery.   

Simon George by Holbein ca. 1535-40

FASCINATING NOVEL: THE SHAPE OF DNA

Her Hidden Genius by Marie Benedict

Marie Benedict specializes in historical fiction about under-appreciated and overlooked talented women.  This latest novel, Her Hidden Genius, is a fascinating account of scientist Rosalind Franklin’s career.  She leaves her job studying the properties of coal in an English lab for a position in Paris. There she gains high praise and respect for her skill and aptitude in using X-ray crystallography to see patterns and shapes others don’t.  Her parents don’t fully understand or appreciate her chosen path of career instead of marriage and, partly due to their pressure, she returns to her native England.  

Suffice it to say that this British lab is very male and highly competitive. The work she now undertakes on the structure of DNA puts her in contention with Watson and Crick.  Benedict’s novel paints a picture not only of scientific rivalries, but also of the dismissive and discriminative treatment of women during the 1950’s.  Only years after her death did Dr. Franklin begin to get the recognition she deserved.  A good read!

Note: Photos by JWFarrington.

Tidy Tidbits: On Wall, Screen & Page

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Last week one of my sisters and her spouse visited and then they departed, and my other sister and husband arrived. Having house guests is always an excuse for fun outings we’ve put off taking. One such outing was exploring the Bradenton Riverwalk (last week’s blog); another was a live concert (more in my next blog); and yet another was a return to the Sarasota Art Museum. And there are always TV programs to watch and a never-ending supply of books to read!

LOOKING

Sarasota Art Museum

This small museum, connected with Ringling College, has lovely gallery space and presents several changing exhibits each year.  We had not visited in a while and took my younger sister and brother-in-law.  

The main exhibit focused on paintings by Judith Linhares and several artist friends of hers.  Linhares is represented in several museums including the Whitney in New York.  Here were large scale female nudes midst colorful quilts along with works featuring tigers and woodpeckers.  Her paintings are vibrant and alive.  

Woman with Woodpecker, 1983

I also enjoyed the small paintings of everyday objects by Mary Jo Vath.  Especially appealing were the fuzzy yellow monkey hat and a bowl of red roses reflected on a tabletop.

Red Reflection by Vath

The museum’s shop is chock full of tempting items from jigsaw puzzles to note cards and jewelry.  They also have a café which we haven’t yet tried.  Worth a visit!

VIEWING

Marian Anderson: The Whole World in Her Hands (PBS American Masters)

February is Black History Month and appropriately, PBS is offering relevant programming.  We watched this two-hour documentary about Marian Anderson, and it’s superb!  There’s archive footage of Anderson performing in a variety of venues including at the Lincoln Memorial in 1939.  Details of her early life, her travels abroad, and her eventual marriage to architect Orpheus Fisher round out the film.

It’s well known that the DAR denied her the right to sing in Constitution Hall in DC, but probably less so that, in Europe, Anderson suffered none of the indignities of being Black that were widespread at home.  She was an extraordinary woman with a great gift which I appreciated even more so having watched this.

As a staff member in the Penn Libraries, I well recall when Marian’s nephew donated her papers to the collection.   The library is credited in the documentary.

READING

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner

Michelle Zauner (vogue.com)

H Mart is a Korean supermarket and Zauner’s memoir is about her mother’s illness and subsequent death from cancer.  It’s also pop musician Zauner’s coming of age story as the child of a Korean mother and an American father growing up in Philadelphia and Oregon.  Her mother is demanding and picky, and she and Michelle are often at odds, particularly during Michelle’s teenage years.  Their shared love of food and Korean dishes figures prominently in their relationship, both the dishes her mother cooks for her and those that Michelle makes to tempt her mother when ill.  

Annual trips to Seoul to visit her mother’s family are noteworthy events, and one aunt in particular a real comfort after her mother’s death.  Michelle’s relationship with her father is also a tense one, and she is frequently very critical of him.  Rebellious in trying to find her place, she vacillates between her Korean heritage and her American roots. 

 Zauner writes candidly, in raw detail, about her mother’s decline and death. Some readers may find this more than they want or need to know.  Nonetheless, I recommend this memoir.  (~JWFarrington)

Note: All unattributed photos by JWFarrington. Header photo is of Tigress by Judith Linhares, 2009.

Art & Eating in Manhattan

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CURRENT MUSEUM EXHIBITS

Surrealism Beyond Borders

One of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s current exhibitions brings together Surrealism works of art from around the globe from Egypt to Mexico to Europe.  Most of the artists I did not know.  I also don’t know that I liked these paintings and objects but they are different, often provocative, and sometimes chilling.  

Body Snatcher in Switzerland by Enrico Baj

At least one, Salvador Dali’s black telephone, has some whimsy.

Lobster on Telephone by Salvador Dali, 1938

Jasper Johns: Mind/Mirror

The Whitney Museum of American Art and the Philadelphia Museum of Art are jointly presenting the largest retrospective ever of Jasper Johns’ work.  Prolific since the 1950’s, he is 91 and still producing.  There are many rooms of paintings on display at the Whitney.  I agree with the critic who stated that the Whitney might have showed two-thirds of what is here.  

Flag above White with Collage

Lots of American flags in different color combinations; several maps of the U.S., some multi-colored, some black or gray; and various paintings including real objects (tableware, used paint cans) or string and pieces of wood.  I especially liked the colorful version of the United States, the placement of tableware along a frame, and the fifteen monotypes of a Savarin coffee can filled with paint brushes.

Map, 1961
Frame detail, Dancers on a Plane, 1979
Savarin, 1982, one in a series

Seeing gallery after gallery, one appreciates Johns’ recurring themes and recognizes the repetition of certain elements. I wish we’d been in Philadelphia long enough to see the other half of this massive exhibit!

EATING AROUND

Marwin Thai

A nice addition to the Upper East Side, Marwin has about five tables and offers on site or takeout dining for lunch and dinner.  We enjoyed a satisfying and modestly priced meal from the special lunch menu.  Between us, we had Thai dumplings and spring rolls to start.  The Chief Penguin tried pad Thai while I sampled the green curry with chicken.  His pad Thai was good and my curry very satisfying.  It’s a brothier curry with less coconut milk and lots of green peppers, bamboo shoots and basil.  And since Happy Hour runs from 11:30 to 7:00 pm, we decided on beer—Singha and Stella d’Artois—$5.00 apiece.  

Canyon Road

Occasionally, I have a yen for some good Mexican food and prefer to patronize a restaurant that isn’t part of a chain.  Canyon Road on the Upper East Side fit the bill for a recent casual dinner.  It’s decorated with colorful square flags and strings of little white lights and has a comfortable feel.  

We ordered the requisite original margaritas and the house guacamole.  Both were very good, and the guacamole had a lively kick.  I tried the chicken tacos (three small corn tortillas on a board and plenty of food).  The Chief Penguin, who’s a fan of quesadillas, had the shrimp and jalapeno one which came with salsa, sour cream, and a bit of guacamole.  We went early so there were only a few other diners.  Service was excellent.  It’s now on our yes, return list.

Note: All photos by JWFarrington. Header images is Squash with Pan de Muerto by Maria Izyquierdo, 1947.

Maine Days: Wyeths & Lawyers

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FOR WYETH LOVERS

Farnsworth Art Museum

Along with the the Brandywine River Museum outside Philadelphia, the Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland has one of the largest collection of works by the Wyeth family.  Here are works by Andrew Wyeth of Cristina’s World fame, by his son Jamie Wyeth, by Andrew’s father, N. C. Wyeth, and some by other Wyeth relatives.  This year’s featured exhibit is works from Betsy Wyeth’s estate, a gift to the museum.  Betsy, wife of Andrew, died in 2020 at the age of 98.

Islander by Jamie Wyeth
Fisherman’s Family by N. C. Wyeth
Wicker by Jamie Wyeth

I was also struck by a couple of works in their permanent Maine collection, a striking woman in white and a still life of intense golden flowers.

Kym in White by Alex Katz
Orange Prince by Beverly Hallam

Another highlight for me this year was the Women of Vision exhibit.  It focuses on thirteen women who are either artists or patrons of the art whose work and/or philanthropy has ties to Maine.  Some are historical figures like Edna St. Vincent Millay, one was a Passamaquoddy basket weaver, while others like photographer and gardener Cig Harvey are actively working.  I was particularly struck by a charming strawberry basket.

By Molly Neptune Parker

PERFECT FOR AN AIRPLANE FLIGHT

A Good Mother by Lara Bazelon

Author Bazelon is a law professor who also spent seven years as a federal public defender in Los Angeles.  She knows how the federal court system works and has penned a fascinating and gripping courtroom drama set in LA.  This is her first novel.

Lead defense lawyer Abby Rosenberg is a bit of a hot shot who utilizes bold and sometimes questionable techniques to win her cases.  She is also a new mother still on maternity leave.  Her client, Luz Rivera Hollis, is a nineteen-year-old accused of murdering her soldier husband at an army base in Germany.  She too is a new mother to infant Cristina.  Abby’s co-counsel, Will Ellet, is young, ambitious, and unsettled in his marriage.  You may wonder about the ethics and behaviors of these lawyers, but their actions make for a good story!  What exactly constitutes being a good mother?

Note: Photos by JWFarrington (some rights reserved). Header photo is cone flowers at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens.