Randuwa II: NMWA

Saturday, March 30, 2024

National Museum of Women in the Arts: Impressive: Antoinette Bouzonnet-Stella

On the fourth floor of the National Museum of Women in the Arts in three smallish shotgun galleries to the left of the entrance is a most intriguing focus exhibition. It features the works of a 17th century engraver named Antoinette Bouzonnet-Stella (1649 - 1674). Her father was a Goldsmith of some renown and her mothers family were painters, of most prominence, Jacques Stella (1596 - 1657). When Antoinette was 13, her uncle invited her along with her two sisters and brother to move to Paris and work with him in his studio at the Louvre. There she and her sister, Claudine, were trained to be engravers with the principal task of making prints of her uncle's paintings and the paintings of his friend, Nicolas Poussin (1594 - 1665).

In time, her still brought in additional commissions and her style noted by many as "strong, masculine, powerful" became recognizable on its own. She eventually specialized in themes of Biblical and Mythical subjects. The works in this exhibition are from a series of 25 prints commissioned by Jean-Baptist Colbert who was the vice-protecteur of the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture under King Louis XIV. The copper plate engravings depict images from "L'Entree de L'Empereur Sigismond a Mantoue" taken from stucco friezes in the Palazzo Te in Mantua, Italy.

Friday, March 29, 2024

National Museum of Women in the Arts: Highlights from the Collection

The National Museum of Women in the Arts is a relatively new art museum in a city swimming in art museums. It was founded in the early 1980's and began it's existence as a concierge (by appointment only) docent lead visit to the home of the founders Mrs. and Mr. Wilhelmina Cole Holladay. In 1983, the Foundation created to promote and expand the museum purchased the 1908 landmark Masonic Temple and embarked on an ambitious plan to the upgrade and retrofit that building to become a permanent home for the collection, and in 1987, it opened it's doors to the public. I have to say that in a city not only full of amazing museums but also amazing buildings, Entering the polished marble clad grand foyer and 360 degree mezzanine is practically worth the price of admission all on its own.

At the end of July 2021, the museum closed its doors to the public in order to undergo a nearly $65,000,000 renovation. The work would not only expand the gallery space, but perhaps even more significantly address some major structural issues with 113 year old edifice. The reason why I put it on my to do list for Spring Break was that I'd understood that it had reopened to the public in October of 2023. When I arrived, I learned that it had only partially re-opened, that, in fact, the entire second floor was still closed, as were new gallery spaces on the first floor and the gift shop. The final grand opening is actually set for this coming April 15, 2024... sigh.

Something to look forward to later. As to what was on display: 1) a handful of large scale paintings and photographs in the Grand Foyer and Mezzanine including a beautiful self-portrait by Frida Kahlo, 2) The entire 3rd floor is hosting works from the museum's permanent collection titled "Remix: The Collection", 3) 3 smallish focus shows share the 6 galleries of the 4th floor: a) Impressive: Antoinette Bouzonnet-Stella features a series of 25 prints by this 7th French artist, b) Hung Liu: Making History, features works by the Chinese artist and Cultural Revolutionary exile, c) Holding Ground: Artists' Books for the National Museum of Woman in the Arts features 9 celebrated book artists who's participation illuminates the new learning commons of the Betty Boyd Dettre Library and Research Center.

Here are images and highlights from the Main Exhibition "Remix: The Collection" on the 3rd Floor.

Gallery View #1, entrance

"Bullets Revisited #3," 2012

Lalla Essaydi (Moroccan), 1956 -

"Blossom Restaurant, 103 Bowery," 1935

Berenice Abbott (American), 1898 - 1991

"Vinato," 2005

Joana Vasconcelos (French), 1971 -

"They call me Redbone, but I'd rather be Strawberry Shortcake," 2009

Amy Sherald (American), 1973 -

"Yam Story '96," 1996

Emly Kame Kngwarreye (Australian), 1910 - 1996

Gallery view #2

"Apres la tempete," c. 1876

Sarah Bernhardt (French), 1844 - 1923

"Loading, from the series Canadian Lumber Camp," 1931

Clare Leighton (British) 1898 - 1989

"Maelstrom," 2011

Beverly Penn (American), 1955 -

I just had to show this detail of the this work. On the surface, it would appear to be a monumental (say, 10 feet in diameter) orb made up of delicately woven and dried diminutive thistle flowers, stems and leaves. And that's possible how it began, but it is, in fact, entirely cast in bronze! My heart still skips a beat thinking about it. Exquisite!

Gallery View #3

"The Cage," 1885

Berthe Morisot (French), 1841 - 1895

"Still Life with a Basket of Plums, Peaches, Cherries, and Redcurrants, Together with Fraises-de-Bois in a Porcelain Bowl, Figs and Mulberries on a Wooden Ledge," c. 1630

Louise Moillon (French), 1610 - 1696