93. Impressions of Light

There is a traveling exhibition of “The Parisian Impressionists" at the National Gallery of Art, yet another Temple of Beauty. After entering, I soon discovered that every mother’s son or daughter was there as well. The wait line was over 90 minutes long for the special exhibit. So using common sense I decided on the next best thing. Why not visit the National Gallery of Art itself. And I was rewarded for my wisdom. 

The National Gallery had their own permanent installation of Impressionist Painters, every bit as “impressive” as the Parisian objects in the next room. The first one that caught my attention was Monet’s “sketch” of his wife and child in a field of color titled “Woman with a Parasol- Madame Monet and Her Son." He had to be quick with a live subject and changing light. Hence the bold strokes. A soft airy perception where nothing had boundaries nor outline. The colors of the field and sky reflected off her dress and parasol. A play of light. This became my Favorite.

Next to it was a child walking through a garden of giant sunflowers, Monet’s “The Artist’s Garden at Vetheuil." A jungle of color with nothing manicured. This is not an English garden. Maybe better!

Then a more famous one “The Japanese Footbridge” by Monet. I noticed that I liked the paintings with a human presence more because of their contrast and interaction. The same cannot be argued for the bridge, as one must admit it is a little stiffer.

Then came a Renoir painting “Girl with a Watering Can” that looked more familiar but was less appealing to me than the others by Monet. The girl’s dress was so dominating it commanded too much attention in the setting. There was less of that gauzy look where everything flowed together.

For the record I’m just sharing my personal bias and taste. I'm not pretending to be an art critic.

Between the rooms was an arboretum with a skylight, something fresh for the senses to clean the palate before entering another exhibit. Which I did. It was an exhibit of American Painters.  

Immediately I was struck by a series of four paintings by a Thomas Cole representing the four stages of life - Childhood, Youth, Adulthood and Old Age. One might say these are over done, symbolic cliches, and too detailed compared to the French next door. But looking at each one they all rang very true. What struck me was the relation of one’s angel or guiding light to one’s own human growth.

There’s the sunrise of Childhood where everything is possible and your angel has your back. Then comes Youth leaving its angel on the shore while being mesmerized by the lofty Ideals of its future.

With the adult, his angel has totally withdrawn allowing him to experience the storms of reality and steer his own soul forward. Then with Age the body of the boat is ragged, waters have stilled and he’s contemplating the source of his being, even reconnecting with his angel.

Although more detailed and realistic than Monet’s “impressions,” Cole’s delicate play and reflection of light and dark is nourishing. Like devotional quotes, or inspirational verses, these four paintings were full of contemplation. 

I decided to move on and not try to “see it all.” I wandered through four rooms and focused only on those two painters, Monet’s (1875-1881) and Cole's (1840). Like a meal, that was all I needed to be satisfied. I did not have to sample the whole buffet. I felt sated, inspired, complete. Upon leaving I passed by the people in the 90 minute line again. Hmm. How many times have I been distracted by what’s “supposed to be important” and really missed all the other experiences around me. I made the right decision to come here and skip that line.

But before walking out the door there was Salvador Dali’s “Last Supper” in the hallway demanding my attention. One could not avoid it. That was the whole point. Another visitor was asking which one was Judas. That’s hard to tell. . . I thoughtfully replied, “Dali is."

Every Temple has it's tempters. No difference here on the National Mall.

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PS The next post "Final Thoughts" will be my last from Washington, D.C.