THE ARTS THRIVE HERE
Vivian Gordon, Art Historian and Lecturer at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, will present the following:
Illustr
ated
Art
Talks
REMEMBERING BIBLICAL WOMEN
ARTISTS IN THEIR STUDIOS
Feast your eyes on some of the most
beautiful paintings ever. This illustrated talk will
examine how and why biblical women such as
Esther, Judith, and Bathsheba, among others,
were portrayed by the “Masters.” The artists
to be discussed include Mantegna, Cranach,
Caravaggio, Rubens, and Rembrandt.
Depicting artists at work gives insight into the
making of their art as well as their changing status
in society.This visual talk will show examples
from the Renaissance, the Impressionists, and
Post-Impressionists-all adding to our knowledge
of the nature of their creativity and inspiration.
Monday, April 13, at 1PM
Wednesday, May 20, at 1PM
FINE IMPRESSIONS: CAILLEBOTTE, SISLEY, BAZILLE
Monday, June 15, at 1PM
This illustrated lecture will focus on the work of three important (but not widely known) Impressionist painters. Join us
as Ms. Gordon introduces the art, lives and careers of these important figures in French Impressionist art.
Ines Powell, Art Historian and Educator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, will present the following:
ALBRECHT DURER and HANS HOLBEIN the ELDER
Thursday, April 23, at 1PM
Unequaled in his artistic and technical execution of woodcuts and engravings, 16th century German artist Durer
revolutionized the art world, exploring such themes as love, temptation and power.
Hans Holbein the Elder was a German painter, a printmaker and a contemporary of Durer. His works are characterized
by deep, rich coloring and by balanced compositions.
THE UTRECHT CARAVAGGISM
THE IMAGERY and SYMBOLISM of SPRING
Thursday, June 11, at 1PM
Thursday, May 28, at 1PM
Spring is one of the most beloved themes of Western
artists. It is the season that represents youth and
happiness. In Ancient Greece, spring was identified
with Persephone, the personification of spring growth.
For the Romans, the goddess Flora represented nature’s
fertility. In later Western paintings, spring is represented as an
image of life unstoppable.
Utrecht Caravaggism refers to those Baroque Dutch
artists, all distinctly influenced by the art of Caravaggio.
Painters such as Dirck van Baburen, Gerrit van Honthorst
and Hendrick ter Brugghen were all in Rome at a time
when the chiaroscuro of Caravaggio’s late style was
dominant. Back in Utrecht, they painted mythological and
religious history subjects and genre scenes, such as cardplayers and gypsies.
Thomas Germano, Professor of Art History at Farmingdale State College, will present the following:
BENTON’S ‘AMERICA TODAY’ MURAL REDISCOVERED
Thursday, April 30, at 1PM
Benton painted the “America Today” mural in 1931, showing a sweeping panorama of American life throughout the
l920s. “America Today” ranks among Benton’s most renowned works and is one of the most remarkable accomplishments
in American art of the period. Professor Germano will address the complex iconography of “America Today” while placing
the work into the historic context of the era.
VINCENT VAN GOGH: ROSES AND IRISES
Thursday, May 14, at 1PM
In May 1890, just before his release from the asylum
at Saint-Remy, and only two months before his death,
Van Gogh painted four bouquets of spring flowers:
two of roses and two of irises, in contrasting formats
and color schemes. This visual art lecture examines all of
Van Gogh’s floral works, placing them into the context of
his life and studio locations.
Sir Frederic Leighton’s “FLAMING JUNE”
Thursday, June 25, at 1PM
One of the most familiar works of late Victorian art,
“Flaming June” is a favorite of many. For the first time,
this celebrated painting will be shown publicly in N.Y.
at the Frick Collection. Sir Frederic Leighton was a
painter, sculptor, man about town and a leading artist of his
time. He specialized in mythological subjects where mood,
physical beauty and color took precedence over story or
moralizing.