not-an-art-review
Jun. 26th, 2010 07:02 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lagilmanFriday I (finally) made it to the Monet exhibit at the Gargosian Gallery -- this was a collection of nearly 30 of Monet's later works, most from various museums worldwide but several from private collections. I am, as some of you know, quite mad for Monet, so standing in line while they filtered people through the gallery was perfectly fine by me, although several people were quite taken aback.
(the gallery is exactly that -- a commercial gallery, not a museum. Nothing was for sale -- they weren't even pushing the usual posters/whatnot, although you could buy a book of notecards) The owner is *cough* rather wealthy and can afford to do things like this for no immediate financial gain.)
There were 3-4 areas, sparse white space except where the paintings were hung. Guards everywhere but no ropes or anything to keep you from getting as close to the paintings as you might if they were hanging in someone's home. Having seen a lot of his work before (including "Nymphéas” at the Musee de L'Orangerie) I was struck most by three different paintings of L’Allée de Rosiers, which just... wow. Intense and dark and Monet, clearly Monet, but with a different hit to the gut.
I wish I'd gone earlier, to encourage people to go see this, since it closes today (gallery is open from 10-6, I believe). If you happen to be in NYC today with nothing else to do, the trip over to 10th avenue and 21st is well worth the time.
EtA: The WSJ reviews the exhibit.
(the gallery is exactly that -- a commercial gallery, not a museum. Nothing was for sale -- they weren't even pushing the usual posters/whatnot, although you could buy a book of notecards) The owner is *cough* rather wealthy and can afford to do things like this for no immediate financial gain.)
There were 3-4 areas, sparse white space except where the paintings were hung. Guards everywhere but no ropes or anything to keep you from getting as close to the paintings as you might if they were hanging in someone's home. Having seen a lot of his work before (including "Nymphéas” at the Musee de L'Orangerie) I was struck most by three different paintings of L’Allée de Rosiers, which just... wow. Intense and dark and Monet, clearly Monet, but with a different hit to the gut.
I wish I'd gone earlier, to encourage people to go see this, since it closes today (gallery is open from 10-6, I believe). If you happen to be in NYC today with nothing else to do, the trip over to 10th avenue and 21st is well worth the time.
EtA: The WSJ reviews the exhibit.
