The Assumption of the Virgin, 1577–79 by El Greco (Domenikos Theotokopoulos), part of the exhibit, “El Greco: Ambition and Defiance,” at Art Institute of Chicago.
From time to time the museums and art galleries of many countries share their treasures along with loans that offer a unique perspective on given artists and themes. The celebration of Jan Van Eyck and the Ghent Altarpiece was noted in previous blog posts here and here. The terrible threat of the corona virus has cast a dismal shadow over so many lives, and we pray for all the families who have lost loved ones.
The New York Times published the essay by Sophie Haigney, “When the Virus Came, Some Museum Curators Lost Years of Work,” and The Wall Street Journal drew attention to the marvels of technology whereby “videos and documentaries offer an enlightened alternative.” In “The Staying Inside Guide: Opening Windows Onto Closed Exhibitions,” Lance Esplund draws attention to the following exhibits that may be of interest:
- “Cézanne: The Rock and Quarry Paintings,” Princeton University Art Museum, Princeton, N.J.
- “El Greco: Ambition and Defiance,” Art Institute of Chicago, with an introductory film available on YouTube here. See also “El Greco: An Artist’s Odyssey” on the website of Washington’s National Gallery of Art and The Prado in Madrid, “El Greco and Modern Painting,” where you can also access a video with English subtitles.
As we experience an extended quiet time for contemplation of the mysteries of life, this can be supplemented by exploration of the ways artists share their vision.