My Fricken Museum Visit
Cathy
to the loo with you.
I took advantage of the unusually mild January weather on the 16th and
ventured over to the Frick museum in NYC to see the "Victorian Fairy
Paintings" exhibition. One of the paintings on exhibit, as many of you
may know, is Richard Dadd's "The Fairy Feller's Master Stroke". The
museum is located in a tastefully opulent mansion which was at one time
home to Henry Clay Frick and his family. Frick was a Pittsburgh steel
industrialist, and had his home designed by architect Thomas Hastings in
1913. I must say that the outside of the mansion was very unassuming. It
looked more like a library than a residence.
I wandered on into the museum, paid my admission and was asked to check
my briefcase. Too big. So instead I shoved my camera into my coat pocket
(which I later found out was not allowed to be used anywhere inside the
museum except for the absolutely magnificent indoor garden) checked the
bag, and took my notebook.
First I made my way from room to room to view the Frick permanent
collection. The private collection features works by such renowned
artists as Gainsborough, Renoir, El Greco (which is Spanish for "The
Greco") Manet, Monet and Degas. I was surprised at the amount of people
who were visiting this particular museum, since I don't recall it being
a well-known name, but I'm no museum expert. The museum was fairly
crowded, probably due to the large crowds of people who were drawn out
of their homes on this first beautiful, warmish sunny day we've had in
quite a while. Another possible reason was that the "Victorian Fairy
Painting Exhibit" was ending it's run, as it was scheduled to close the
next day. I made my way down the narrow marble spiral stairway and into
the exhibit area to seek out Dadd's work.
I now truly understand the impact that this painting has had on people.
This was absolutely without a doubt the most incredibly detailed
painting I had ever seen. I was sucked right into it. It had taken me a
while to get close enough to actually see the detail, seeing as that it
was the most popular and commonly discussed painting in the room. People
were at it with magnifying glasses. I tried to follow their convexed
gazes as their lenses traveled across the canvas. Luckily I was able to
see the glorious result of the intense effort and painstaking detail
that went into it. It took Dadd six years to complete this work, and I
must say I can completely understand why. He must have had brushes that
were made with split hairs, the patience of a saint, and all the time in
the world.
Dadd painted the FFMS from 1858 to 1864, while he was a patient at
Bethlehem Hospital, a mental institution. He was committed for murdering
his own father, and was subsequently diagnosed as schizophrenic. The
staff there was compassionate enough to allow Dadd to paint, and in 1865
he wrote a long account in verse explaining the painting's genesis. He
identified each character by name as they bear witness to the nymph in
yellow as he is about to split a hazelnut. The shell was to be used in
the construction of Queen Mab's coach. The Arch Magician gives the
command "Except I tell you when, strike if you dare". Squinty Pedagogue
is a critic whose "business it is to teach to do/Do it himself? Oh! No!
Tis you". We are watching the scene through tall timothy grasses, as if
to implant the notion in our heads that perhaps in the future we should
watch our step when walking through some brush. In the end, the verse
keeps the painting's secret to itself and doesn't reveal it's meaning to
us. "But whether it be or be not so/You can afford to let things go/For
naught as nothing it explains/And nothing from nothing/nothing gains".
It appears as if the painting may have been worked out initially in
monochrome (the seed pods in the foreground appear to be black and white
toned), and that Dadd filled in each element seperately with color. The
medium was oil on canvas, and I was amazed at an almost cloisonne type
of look to the work; it didn't have the usual texture of an oil
painting. It was almost smooth, except for slightly raised lined such as
in the grasses and other detail. I just then overheard someone say that
they thought the painting had more of an enamel feel to it than an oil.
Then someone behind me said "Be careful not to get too close- the
fairies will pull you right into the painting" to which someone else
replied "Too late". I remarked that I was thinking the same thing. And
just as I got close enough to take a good look, the guard came over and
asked that other people have a chance because the people who had just
been in front of me had been hogging it up for about five minutes, and
now there was a line. Mind you, the painting is only about 20x36", if
even that, so in order for the slightly myopic such as myself to get an
eyeful you had to have your face right in it. So, now that it appears to
the newcomers that I am the Fairy hog, I took my twelve seconds and
moved it on along for a little while.
I went up into the indoor garden for a little while, and scribbled down
a lot of these notes. The garden is absolutely spectacular. Marble
flooring, busts on pedestals, Roman columns, more paintings.There are
marble benches situated symmetrically around the perimeter of the
fountain area, which is the focal point of the room, and situated two
steps down. The fountain is surrounded by an oval pool which is lined
with blooming bromeliads. The arched ceiling is made entirely of white
frosted glass,which floods the room with subdued natural lighting with a
little help from rows of incandescent arches on the outside.
I went back to the painting again, and managed to get my nose in there
for another full minute. I could lose myself in it for hours. You just
cannot believe the incredible amount of work that must have gone into
this painting. The pebbles are so realistic that it's frightening. I
read in the extremely informative notes next to the painting that it was
never exhibited during Dadd's life, and has become the focus of a cult
following. Now, one may initially think that the following is due to the
connection with Queen, but I never heard any of the people there
discussing the work mention either the band or Freddie. Apparently, the
painting is well known in art circles based upon it's own merits.
The notes also said that it was considered the masterpiece of all fairy
paintings, and I would have to agree. There were many other beautiful
paintings in this exhibit, but none with the attraction that this one
had. I particularly liked "The Disenchantment of Bottom" (Bottom is a
character in Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream", as are Oberon
and Titania). There was an interesting placement of light and shadow;
very effective.It appears as if a flash of lightning had occurred, and
we are witness to the split second flash of light that reveals several
good/evil fairies surrounding him in otherwise total darkness.
Another painting I took to was one called "Queen Mab's Cave" by Joseph
Mallord William Turner. There are several paintings by this artist in
the permanent collection, but this one was part of the Fairy exhibit.
There was a ghostly, misty lake with what appeared to be a small island
in the middle, with fairies flying about. Near the center of the
painting was a bright pool of light, which appeared to me as if it were
the place which the fairies emerged from. Very serene, yet energetic.
I would have liked to have stayed longer, but I really wanted to take
advantage of what I had left of daylight to get out and take some
pictures. So at 3:45 I walked away and continued along on my excursion.
All in all it was a great day, and I'm having a tough time picking out
my favorite part.
The painting can be seen at Queen Heaven,
http://queen.frnet.com/fairy/index.html . On that page, you can access
large pieces of the painting at a time which help show the detail, but
do the original no justice. There is also a link to the painting as
shown in one piece. I am also aware that somewhere is Dadd's account of
the scene, so if anyone knows where that is please post it.
I told you it was long.
Cathy
Sugar2n
Caroline
"You can never win or lose if you don't run the race"-R. Butler
jajenili
Cathy wrote:
>This is really quite long, so you may want to print it out and take it
>to the loo with you.
:-) I followed your orders (printing, not loo), but read online anyway.
It didn't seem long reading it, it flowed nicely.
Thanks for writing that. I wish I'd gone up to see this, any idea if this
exihibit is moving on elsewhere? (philly would be nice!)
I've been dying to get a copy of this, but from your description, I now know
I have to also see the original if it's possible.
Interesting to hear about a whole 'nother group of people who know of
this but from different reasons than from us.
Nice touch bringing the notebook and taking notes!
-mark
<details snipped with care>
>
>I told you it was long.
>
Hardly noticed... guess that means it's a good'n!
>
>Cathy
Thomas Odland
>
> I took advantage of the unusually mild January weather on the 16th and
> ventured over to the Frick museum in NYC to see the "Victorian Fairy
> Paintings" exhibition.
Excellent post, Cathy. One of the most worthwhile contributions in
months. Thanks.
Tom
Thomas Odland
>
> This is really quite long, so you may want to print it out and take it
> to the loo with you.
Do we have time to nick a bog first?
> I took advantage of the unusually mild January weather on the 16th and
> ventured over to the Frick museum in NYC
Still censoring the name of that joint, huh?
> First I made my way from room to room to view the Frick permanent
> collection. The private collection features works by such renowned
> artists as Gainsborough, Renoir, El Greco (which is Spanish for "The
> Greco")
Quick Spanish question, Cathy, before I forget. Could you please
translate "El Nino" for me?
Great post, Cathy. Wonderful. Thanks.
Tom
Jackie
>This is really quite long, so you may want to print it out and take it
>to the loo with you.
<Mega big huge respectful SNIPPY>
>I told you it was long.
Yes but worth it.
Thank you for writing that all out, it was very interesting to read. I
felt as if I was there with you, bumping in the crowds while I was
reading the text. I too would like to see the original for myself.
Jackie.
laz...@erols.com
tlod...@concentric.net wrote:
> Cathy wrote:
> >
> > This is really quite long, so you may want to print it out and take it
> > to the loo with you.
>
You'll need to arrange and audience with Pope Charmin I first.
>
> > I took advantage of the unusually mild January weather on the 16th and
> > ventured over to the Frick museum in NYC
>
> Still censoring the name of that joint, huh?
Okay, you got me. it was really the Prick Museum.
>
> > First I made my way from room to room to view the Frick permanent
> > collection. The private collection features works by such renowned
> > artists as Gainsborough, Renoir, El Greco (which is Spanish for "The
> > Greco")
>
> Quick Spanish question, Cathy, before I forget. Could you please
> translate "El Nino" for me?
Actually, Tom, it's Mandarin Chinese for "That Big Sucking Wind That Excites
News Anchors Everywhere To Say".
> Great post, Cathy. Wonderful. Thanks.
That's twice in this thread. People are going to start thinking that you know
me or something.
>
> Tom
>
Cathy(la nina)
-----------== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==----------
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DeeGee
>
<snip>
> I told you it was long.
No it wasn't!!!!!!! (Ok, anything over 100 lines is "long", but it sure
didn't _feel_ long :-)
Thanks!
DeeGee
Cathy
>
> In article <36A6A7...@mail.concentric.net>,
> tlod...@concentric.net wrote:
> > Quick Spanish question, Cathy, before I forget. Could you please
> > translate "El Nino" for me?
I wasn't expecting some kind of Spanish Inquisition…
> >
> > Tom
> >
>
Cathy
tod...@heartstent.com
> > > I took advantage of the unusually mild January weather on the 16th and
> > > ventured over to the Frick museum in NYC
> >
> > Still censoring the name of that joint, huh?
>
> Okay, you got me. it was really the Prick Museum.
I hear the curator's a real dickhead.
> > > The private collection features works by such renowned
> > > artists as Gainsborough, Renoir, El Greco (which is Spanish for "The
> > > Greco")
> >
> > Quick Spanish question, Cathy, before I forget. Could you please
> > translate "El Nino" for me?
>
> Actually, Tom, it's Mandarin Chinese for "That Big Sucking Wind That Excites
> News Anchors Everywhere To Say".
Well, then let me run another one past you: There has been a sharp decrease in
the hog market lately. Can that be more attributable to El Nino or El Greco?
And by the way, I've got a couple of questions for Erica, too: Could you tell
me if El Greco is in any way related to Al Del Greco? What is El Greco's
longest field goal? What about Rodin?
> > Great post, Cathy. Wonderful. Thanks.
>
> That's twice in this thread. People are going to start thinking that you know
> me or something.
Know you? No, but I knew Jack Kennedy (namesake of the famous member of the
Staten Island fleet), and you are no Jack Kennedy. (whatever happened to Tom
Kennedy?)
I gotta go to lunch - the caffeine in an empty stomach is making me
hallucinate. "Auntie Em, is that you?"
Tom
Karissa Thomas
Cathy wrote:
>
> laz...@erols.com wrote:
> >
> > In article <36A6A7...@mail.concentric.net>,
> > tlod...@concentric.net wrote:
>
> > > Quick Spanish question, Cathy, before I forget. Could you please
> > > translate "El Nino" for me?
>
> I wasn't expecting some kind of Spanish Inquisition…
NOBODY expects the Spanish Inquisition! Our main weapon is surprise, and
fear, our two main weapons are surprise, fear and ruthless efficiency.
Three, three, our three main weapons are surprise, fear, ruthless
efficiency and an almost fanatical devotion to the pope, four....
Sorry, I'll stop now, but you asked for it.
Karissa
>
> > >
> > > Tom
> > >
> >
>
> Cathy
Cathy
>
> In article <787ou4$t1d$1...@nnrp1.dejanews.com>,
> laz...@erols.com wrote:
> >
> > Okay, you got me. it was really the Prick Museum.
>
> I hear the curator's a real dickhead.
Name's Peter.
> > > Quick Spanish question, Cathy, before I forget. Could you please
> > > translate "El Nino" for me?
> >
> > Actually, Tom, it's Mandarin Chinese for "That Big Sucking Wind That Excites
> > News Anchors Everywhere To Say".
>
> Well, then let me run another one past you: There has been a sharp decrease in
> the hog market lately. Can that be more attributable to El Nino or El Greco?
What do I know from hogs? That's your department.
> What about Rodin?
I think he's the sculptor of "Man Waiting To Log On", isn't he?
>
> > > Great post, Cathy. Wonderful. Thanks.
> >
> > That's twice in this thread. People are going to start thinking that you know
> > me or something.
>
> Know you? No, but I knew Jack Kennedy (namesake of the famous member of the
> Staten Island fleet), and you are no Jack Kennedy.
Maybe not, but I *do* play Jackie O on TV.
>(whatever happened to Tom
> Kennedy?)
To tell the truth, he found the sale of the century. In an effort to
beat the clock, he became a tattletale on his treasure hunt, especially
since the price was right and Gene Wood thought it was a gambit, he said
the secret password and won some tic-tac-dough. A Chuck Barris
Production.
>
> I gotta go to lunch - the caffeine in an empty stomach is making me
> hallucinate. "Auntie Em, is that you?"
Hey! That was *my* excuse!!!
>
> Tom
>
Cathy
Thomas Odland
>
> tod...@heartstent.com wrote:
> >
> > In article <787ou4$t1d$1...@nnrp1.dejanews.com>,
> > laz...@erols.com wrote:
>
> > What about Rodin?
>
> I think he's the sculptor of "Man Waiting To Log On", isn't he?
Looks more to me like "Man Waiting for Log Out".
> > Know you? No, but I knew Jack Kennedy (namesake of the famous member of the
> > Staten Island fleet), and you are no Jack Kennedy.
>
> Maybe not, but I *do* play Jackie O on TV.
Really? I play Jackie G.
Other than that, Jackie, how was the parade?
>
> >(whatever happened to Tom
> > Kennedy?)
>
> To tell the truth, he found the sale of the century. In an effort to
> beat the clock, he became a tattletale on his treasure hunt, especially
> since the price was right and Gene Wood thought it was a gambit, he said
> the secret password and won some tic-tac-dough. A Chuck Barris
> Production.
You get the gong for that one.
Tom
Cathy
>
> Cathy wrote:
> >
> > To tell the truth, he found the sale of the century. In an effort to
> > beat the clock, he became a tattletale on his treasure hunt, especially
> > since the price was right and Gene Wood thought it was a gambit, he said
> > the secret password and won some tic-tac-dough. A Chuck Barris
> > Production.
>
> You get the gong for that one.
Who was it? Jaye P.?? Does Gene Gene Dancing Machine come on next??
>
> Tom
Cathy(not The Unknown Comic)
rOOth
> tod...@heartstent.com wrote:
> >
> > In article <787ou4$t1d$1...@nnrp1.dejanews.com>,
> > laz...@erols.com wrote:
> phhhhh......rick Museum.
> >
> > I hear the curator's a real dickhead.
Heh, if you've never been there, you're in for a treat. It's on the other side of
the park from the lennon place and i think its sorta like a museum strip but if
you've never been there b4 careful who you get pickt up by! Also, like, in the
winter time, at least when i was there, you are grandly welcomed by guys in full
sorta uniform and smiles! it's a cool place, but i donno if i'd like to have lived
there unless upstairs was 'really' special (its out of bounds!). And it's
circumspect how summof these ppl got their money (MAYBE) but eh
> > > Great post, Cathy. Wonderful. Thanks.
> > >
> > > That's twice in this thread. People are going to start thinking that you know
> > > me or something.
> >
> > Know you? No, but I knew Jack Kennedy (namesake of the famous member of the
> > Staten Island fleet), and you are no Jack Kennedy.
>
> Maybe not, but I *do* play Jackie O on TV.
>
> >(whatever happened to Tom
> > Kennedy?)
Or Paul Dadd, (talking of Richard)--
---
rOOth
"You can be anything you want to be
Just turn yourself into anything you think that you could ever be
Be free...." (Queen, '91)
---
Lucy A. Jaffe
In article <36A934...@erols.com>,
Cathy <laz...@erols.com> wrote:
>
>Who was it? Jaye P.?? Does Gene Gene Dancing Machine come on next??
No, it was Scarlett and Rhett. Remember them on "The Gong Show?"
"Oh Rhett, you can't say that on television!"
In all seriousness, thanks, Cathy, for that wonderful description of the
Frick Museum and the "Victorian Fairy Painting" exhibit. I wish I'd gotten
to see the painting in person, but your description was the next best thing
to being there.
Lucy
"End of session!" - Freddie Mercury