Above, Henry Moore's "KING & QUEEN", as it looked in Daddy's garden in Greenwich before everything was moved. It is a monumental piece. I love seeing all the greenery in the background....Below, I'm not sure when this was taken---it is in The Hirshhorn Museum Sculpture Garden---but this was not the way it looked when the Museum opened. It probably was after the re-design......
Below......this picture was taken at the opening, and I know that for sure, because I took it and that is my sister Robin walking in front of the David Smith sculpture.....And in the foreground you can see the top half of this very exquisite Maillol beauty......
It is interesting to me that there was ivy--or something----on the wall behind the Henry Moore....And I'm so glad there was.....! And the trees were actually outside the Garden walls. I do wish I could see what the Sculpture Garden looks like now....dear Kenju said next time she goes to Washington, D.C. she will go to the Museum and take some pictures of the way it looks today just for me. I look forward to that!
Another picture of "The King & Queen" that I took, that opening weekend.....This is certainly a magnificent piece....All of these sculptures and the paintings in the Museum as well, are just stunning to see 'in person'. One of my father's favorite paintings is this one below, by Thomas Eakins......
I took this picture because I knew what this particular painting meant to him. He always said it reminded him of his mother and it made him cry....It's not a very good picture, I'm sorry to say. Back in 1974, I hadn't mastered my SLR yet and many of the indoor pictures were not good at all.....At least this one is in focus.
Here above is a much better representation of the Eakins painting. This is a portrait he did of his is of wife. Very representational and it is truly breath taking in it's reality. One can really see why my father was so moved by this beautiful painting......Below....Daddy, outside the Museum, during the day back in October, 1974.........
I took this of Daddy on the same day that we were walking through the Garden and the Museum. I like it because you can see the wonderful building behind him, including that enormous George Rickey Mobile--a perfect day to see this huge sculpture. With the cold wind blowing. there was a lot of beautiful movement....And here below is a photo I took of George Rickey and and my father, later on that same day.
A very sweet man! What was really wonderful was how many of the "living" Artists who's work is included in the collection, came for the opening. Daddy had close relationships with so very many of these Artists, which enriched and deepened the whole experience of this landmark opening.....Below, a not-very-good indoor picture which I took opening night, of Lily Harmon with her husband, Milton Schacter......
Lily was a very fine Artist and was my father's second wife. (They were married for ten years....) Daddy Joe married Lily right after my mother and father were divorced. She was a really lovely woman, but the transition from my mother to Lily becoming Daddy's wife was very hard for me---I was still quite young----it took years for me to see Lily as the lovely person she really was.....I'm glad I did. She was a very bright, interesting and talented woman. Below, a large painting by Kenneth Noland....
A wonderful artist---some of you may remember I met Noland and his then wife in the South Of France in the summer of 1969 when I visited Daddy & Olga---I know he was at the Opening, but I don't have a picture of him there. And I took this picture during the day when quite a bit of natural light was available. The night of the opening, the place was incredibly crowded and I missed getting pictures of so very many people.....And below, a picture I took of a very large painting by Morris Broderson.....Another not-good-at-all picture---the colors are all muddied and it is much more vivid 'in person'......
Above, this is a professional photograph of the very same painting-----much truer in color. Soooo very beautiful! Morris is a great friend of mine. I met him in 1961, through my father and we became fast friends. I own a lot of his work and I never tire of being surrounded by it. In 1967, Morris asked me if I would pose for him so he could paint an oil portrait of me, I was beyond thrilled that this great great Artist would want to paint me, and I was deeply honored, too. It is part of The Hirshhorn Museum collection. Here it is, below.
This photo is not an exact replica of the painting, but it's all that I have. I love that he decided to put two images in the painting---the two sides of 'Naomi'. And I also love that it is Morris' interpretation of me and not like a photograph. It wasn't included in the opening show of The Hirshhorn back in 1974, but I understand that it has been shown since that time......
Above....the famous, 'Matisse Backs' in the Museum Sculpture Garden on that opening weekend...(this picture taken by me....).....This is such an interesting piece....The first one of these 'backs' is quite realistic and each successive one gets more and more abstract. Below.....how this same piece looked in the garden at Greenwich....(Picture taken by Gjon Mili....)
You can really see the progression in this picture above. Another monumental work of art by one of the great great Modern Masters of the 20th Century......I hope you are not bored, because there is still a great deal more to share with you. So, as always......More To Come
- had this to say:
Keep it coming. I love this stuff! Great art and great stories. What's not to love?
- Saturday, December 4, 2010 at 1:47:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
The eyes in the Eakins painting are so striking.
I know the feelings one can have about a stepmom and am glad you were able to eventually appreciate her.
I am impressed that you are hanging in a museum. Wonderful portrait and love the two views.- Saturday, December 4, 2010 at 4:13:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Oh Gosh....these art pieces is truly amazing and I wish I have taken more pictures with my Father coz indeed they are a treasure.
- Saturday, December 4, 2010 at 9:19:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
This is incredible, Naomi!!! I absolutely love the portait of you!!!!!
- Saturday, December 4, 2010 at 11:15:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Your museum posts are fascinating - thank you!
Nancy in Iowa- Saturday, December 4, 2010 at 11:50:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Stunning even though i have never gotten myself into art.. Its just amazing.. I like the one of the woman and then the side view of her i think it is. closer to the bottom of the list.
- Saturday, December 4, 2010 at 7:10:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
Oh that painting of you is fab! I know I say this practically every time I visit but gee you've had a wonderfully interesting life. Thanks for sharing. =)
- Saturday, December 4, 2010 at 11:32:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
What a wonderful blog tour! There is so much in that woman's slightly pained face. I love the composition of the target shot. I too will take photos for you if we get to DC again anytime soon. Joe grew up there.
- Sunday, December 5, 2010 at 6:40:00 AM PST
-
had this to say:
I second geewits, above. If all we have to do is demand more posts, you'll be in the blog business forever!
Cheers.- Sunday, December 5, 2010 at 10:08:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
I love that painting of you, it's so clever the way it shows your 2 sides. Is one naughty and the other one nice? D
My favourite painting though is the one by Kenneth Nolan. That's stunning.
I think it shows what a wonderful person that you are that you learnt to see Lily's good points. That couldn't be easy.
I had no idea your background was so full of art. How fantastic!- Sunday, December 5, 2010 at 11:16:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
I am anchanted with these beautiful pieces of art and the great stories! The Museum and it's history is really amazing!
Your portait is just beautiful and creative!
Many hugs to you and to Sweetie.- Sunday, December 5, 2010 at 12:29:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
So interesting Naomi!! Love the painting of you...kind of like a two in one! This whole garden is just wonderful!
- Sunday, December 5, 2010 at 6:16:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
How could we be bored when seeing great art from the viewpoint of someone who loves it?
Last weekend I saw the show catalog for a Zornes show opening this weekend. There is a watercolor "On the Diamond Bar" . I recognize the place from just south of here. Still undevoloped area with cows and steer at pasture. It was so much FUN knowing the spot- and here you have YOUR portrait in the collection of a museum. How every so much more special. Cheers!- Sunday, December 5, 2010 at 7:48:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
Such a feast of a post.
The painting of you is fascinating. Did he know that you are almost Gemini - two different people - like my mother?- Monday, December 6, 2010 at 1:54:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
I was interrupted by MTL and forgot to say how pleased I was to see a Henry Moore:)
- Monday, December 6, 2010 at 2:04:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Bored?? Never! I love the painting of you, "the two sides..." I appreciate the interpretation, rather than the life-like image and I'm a huge fan of portraits (as you know). Your father's favorite painting is wonderfully done, too...enough to have made him cry. Wow!
"The King and Queen" of the garden is a fine sculpture. I love all the greenery in your first photos.
Your father knew some of the most fascinating people of his time. I'm glad you were able to be meet them and get to know them personally. Thanks for sharing some of those times with us in pictures. Can't wait to see more, my friend!
Hugs, Ily- Monday, December 6, 2010 at 2:39:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
The two sides of Naomi is incredible! You always have such fascinating things. Wonderful post, full of beauty.
- Monday, December 6, 2010 at 6:01:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
These are wonderful photos, Naomi. the Eakins painting is lovely--I love the expression in her eyes. I can see how if affected your father. Tnaks you.
- Monday, December 6, 2010 at 9:11:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
A very nice collection of art and memories. Amazing collection to be owned by one person. I liked the Madonna and Lilies best.It was fun seeing your blog.
- Monday, December 6, 2010 at 10:00:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
I glanced throuch the photos/art before reading the text and said, "It's Naomi!" How could anyone be bored? I am honored.
- Monday, December 6, 2010 at 12:49:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
What a rich collection of art. I have never been there; so appreciate getting to share it through your photos
- Monday, December 6, 2010 at 1:28:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
All of this is just amazing to look at. I'm glad that you took so many photos when things were happening.
I feel like I've gone on a tour after reading your posts!- Tuesday, December 7, 2010 at 6:07:00 PM PST
-
had this to say:
I love reading about your varied, rich and interesting life! Thank you for sharing.
Winnie- Tuesday, December 7, 2010 at 10:42:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
WOW just WOW! So interesting Naomi. You have clealry always been surrounded by creativity. What a fantastic heritage and life. You, my dear, could never be boring. I read your lbog posts with my mouth open usually because what a wonderful life you have led and still are. Just wonderful.
- Tuesday, December 7, 2010 at 11:07:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
Dear Naomi,
How are you?
Just dropping by to say hello.
A big hug to you!- Monday, December 20, 2010 at 4:12:00 AM PST
x4
