The undisputed star of the Huntington Library collections has got to be Thomas Gainsborough's "The Blue Boy".
The painting sits in a huge gallery room at the center of one wall. This room is full of treasures but as you can see from the people in this photo, everyone seems to congregate in the direction of "The Blue Boy".
At the other end of the gallery and facing "The Blue Boy" is "Pinkie" by Thomas Lawrence. She appears to be the perfect companion to her partner across the room.
The Huntington collection also contains some more contemporary pieces Like "The Long Leg" by Edward Hopper (above). Listening to the museum's audio guide, this painting is described by Steve Martin who is a huge fan of Edward Hopper and a well known art collector (as well as actor) himself.
Another contemporary piece is "Ghost Ranch Cliffs" by Georgia O'Keeffe.
There are a number of sculptures in the collection as well. This one by Harriet Goodhue Hosmer is called "Zenobia in Chains". It's a sculpture of the third century queen of Palmyra, Zenobia.
As I said in my first post about the Huntington Library & Gardens, there is way too much to see in one day. I'll have to go back again for another stroll through the gardens and spin around the galleries.
5 comments:
That's really interesting...one wonders how an individual has the wherewithal to purchase such treasures. I'd think "Blue Boy" would be in a public museum.
The sculpture is my favourite of these. It's interesting to notice the placement of art within a particular space- I find myself wondering about the placement of the painting of a nude woman facing a priest in one of the rooms at our National Gallery.
I think the sculpture is my favorite too. I probably would have placed "Blue Boy" and "Pinkie" side by side, but that's just me. They are both beautiful!
Nice little gallery.
Beautiful paintings and setting. Worth a visit, thanks!
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