Fruits of Their Labor

The Strawberry Thief by Morris & Co., 1883 drawn by Philip Webb.

As William Morris and his family tried to grow strawberries at their home, Kelmscott, thrushes would climb under the barriers they erected and steal the strawberries.

Go See Some Art

Dora Wheeler, William Merritt Chase, 1882-83, The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Those of you close to the Cleveland area will want to check-out The Cleveland Museum of Art as it begins to re-open its permenant galleries after they have been closed to renovation for the last three years. It is a beautiful setting for some spectacualr art!

This work by William Merritt Chase is a particular favorite and features two fighting cats hidden in the background.

Free Reign

Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room, designed by James McNeill Whistler, 1876-77, Freer Gallery of Art, Smithsonian.

Whistler was asked by the room's owner to paint the room to compliment the painting that Whistler had done that is seen over the fireplace. When the owner returned he was stunned and horrified at what Whistler had done. Luckily, he did not destroy it and the room is now found at the Freer Gallery in Washington D.C.

Jewel Tones

Maharaja Jaswant Singh of Marwar, ca. 1880, watercolor, The Brooklyn Museum.

The simple setting of this work is unusual and it has more in common with a photograph than a painting. It reflects the influence of the British on India in it's more austere setting and pose.

My Apologies

To those of you that stop by expecting to see something new every day - I apologize. My plan is to be posting on a regular basis once again very shortly.

Until then, please vist the archives - they are full of wonderful pieces of art.

All is well, just very busy.

Thank you,
Martha

Looking Inside Yourself

Taizoki (Womb World) of Ryokai Mandara, Early Heian period, Japan.

Made of 12 zones that represent the world of Buddha with the figure in the middle being the Cosmic Buddha. There are more than 400 figures in the surrounding areas including deities, animals and spirits.

Selling Yourself

Attributed to Huizong, Auspicious Cranes, 1112, Chinese Handscroll, Laioning Provincial Museum, Shenyang.

The appearence of 20 cranes at a festival was taken as a sign that Heaven had blessed the Emporer's rule, this work was produced by the Emporer as a piece of propaganda. Huizong was the Emperor.