MODERN ART MUSEUM OR THE BEAUX ARTS

So there would be a little bit of culture for us to come to grips with after the morning’s queues and frustration. It was a gorgeous day. The first port of call was to be the Duomo or the Milan Cathedral.

Those hats don't look Italian
I knew  the cathedral as had visited it with Marielle in 2012, but it must have been on a rather dull day as  I remember thinking that the interior of the cathedral was pretty bleak. We didn’t visit that again but took the lift up to the top. (see VILLAS, GARDENS AND MILANO for further details). Ar first I wondered looking at the police, what country was I in?

The view is of course outstanding and to see the gargoyle, spires and windows so close was an exceptional experience.














But what a surprise.  A great Contemporary Art event held for the first time on the Terraces of the Duomo of Milan: Tony Cragg, an internationally renowned artist, with his works animated by movements ascending towards the sky, which compete with the Spires and the centuries-old history of the Cathedral. And this from April to October. Quite obviously in conjunction with the Universal exhibition. What raised our eyebrows the most was that there was absolutely NO reference to who the sculptor was. Unless people followed contemporary art, I doubt if they knew what they were looking it. I was really chuffed by what I saw.











 But I should have added earlier. I saw an Asiatic face on the terrace and made some comment to Laurent about her. He then recognized her. One of his students.....really not what we were expecting at the Duomo at all!

A little light lunch and then off to the Modern Art Museum. This too seemed to be incorrectly named. Much more the Beaux Arts than anything else. Modern art was on show to the early 20th century and not any later.

A very surprising description of the temporary exhibition was « Don’t Shoot the Painter » which was supposedly a tribute to contemporary painting. That it was too. The organization of the exhibition departs from the very concept of photography. All the museum rooms were photographed and those photos were used to cover the exhibition walls. The paintings or work interact with the surrounding museum space and give a new symbolic meaning which seem to create a dialogue between art, space and the viewer. We loved it, even if it took a little time to climatize. There were seven galleries - not big but with work we did like and work we definitely did not. Once again many artists that I did not know…..that will be ongoing for the rest of my life.


























Jean Michel Basquiat "Tobacco versus Red Chief" 1981-81

Klodin Erb "Lilie" - 2009

Kotscha Reist "Liebermanns Garten, 2011

Howard Hodgkin "In Bed in Venice" 1984-88

 - "Workshop with Motor Tester - 2012

Martine Jacobson "Winter"2013

Markus Lüpertz, 1983

Huang Min "Mountain River series" 200?

Christoper Le Brun "Bay" 1988
















Christopher Ay Tjoe "Rounded Cars" -2013











After looking at such an interesting event, going off to the permanent exhibition was not easy. Of course Picasso will always be there.


"Taureau" 1955

"Combat de centaures Vl" -1959

"Tete de Femme - La Mediterranéé"
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Giorgio Morandi, (1890-1964)  whom you know I like but I couldn’t convince Laurent.





Artists I knew and am always happy to see again and a few oddities, like this painting of a little girl with short hair. It must be the first time that I have seen a model of that period (late 19th century) with practically a little boy’s haircut. I wont forget that at all even if I do forget the artist’s name - Francesco Hayez (1791-1882).
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or the Buddha - the base with humans rather than mythological sculptures





There were some very strong drawings too by Paul Csar Helleu (1859-1927. He died in Paris). The faces were fascinating.



"La Comtesse de San Martino" 1880-1920
"L'Americana" 1903-04


Giovanni Boldini’s (1842-1931. He also died in Paris) of the American is quite surprising. 1903-1904



An old favorite introduced to me by Gianni, Giacomo Balla (1871-1958)



Giacomo Balla (1871-1958)

"Springtime Expansion" 1918
Giacomo Balla 1913-14


and Corrado Cagli (1910-1976), who I had never heard of...


Corrado Cagli, "La signora Sachs" 1940
"Fabriche" - 1940



just as I had never heard of Felice Casorati (1883-1963)



Change countries and add so many new names to your list.


Then you find the names you know .....

Paul Gaugin

Paul Cezanne

Max Liebermann
We enjoyed that break and it actually gave us the strength to go back to finish our day at the Universal exhibition. 

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Lo a dit…
You forgot to mention my student riding with us in the lift going to the top of the Duomo ;-)
2/9/15 18:18
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