This light fixture and window were begging for attention at the National Gallery of Art. Sometimes you just have to stop and enjoy the small and the overlooked amidst the hustle of the world.
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A Closer Look
This painting caught my eye as Nichola and I were on the hunt for the Da Vinci painting at the National Gallery of Art. After paying my respects to Da Vinci’s Florentine girl, I did some backtracking to get a closer look.
It’s called The Adoration of the Magi and it dates to the fifteenth century. It’s credited to Fra Angelico and Fra Filippo Lippi but it’s believed other artists contributed over a lengthy period of time. In other words, this isn’t the work of a single master and it wasn’t painted quickly.
I marvel at the way art historians can study a style or a brush stroke and identify the artist. What a skill. All I know is that the colors are magnificent and that the details draw my eye. It’s pretty. It’s also round which is quite unusual. It’s called a tondo, by the way. That’s the technical name for a circular painting.
It shows the three magi or the three kings presenting gifts to the infant Jesus who is held by his mother Mary while Joseph stands close. This painting is all about movement and joy. Celebration and vibrancy.
I’m glad I went back for a closer look.
Chasing A Rooster Down A Rabbit Hole
My friend Nichola and I have similar travel philosophies. In fact, I trust her judgment so much that I happily stepped aside as she and her husband planned the entire DC trip. They gave me some choices here and there but I more less asked when to arrive and how much money to bring.
We both are of a mind that you can sleep when you’re dead and that you never know what the next bend in the road may bring. As long as you’re already there, you may as well find out.
Her husband asked me if I’m a destination person or a journey person.
Regular readers here likely know the answer to that question. While I’m capable of going straight to a destination I’m much happier when the journey IS the destination. It’s far more fun when you’re free to go off chasing rabbits as opportunities present themselves.
I think he was appalled when I explained this. “Jesus, Mary and Joseph! You two will never get there,” he exclaimed.
We did make it with a few stops here and there and I don’t regret a single one. That’s how I got to experience the dappled light of a late summer morning as I emerged from tree cover and onto an overlook created by the Civilian Conservation Corps. That’s how I got to buy juicy, fresh peaches from a farm stand and see a geological wonder while the rest of the world zoomed by on the interstate below.
Stories on these and other rabbit hunts to come soon.
Meanwhile, here’s a picture of another fun experience – a giant blue rooster. It’s by German born artist Katharina Fritsch. You can see it from the street as you pass by the National Gallery of Art on the East Building’s rooftop terrace.
It was a gift to the museum earlier this year after being created for a project in London in 2013.
The rooster is often associated with awakening, resilience and strength. For this reason, the 14-foot tall piece was donated to the national museum by Glenstone Museum. It’s to honor the American people as a symbol of hope and resilience during the darkness of the pandemic.
I like to ask employees about something they like in their museum. From ticket takers to security guards and docents, most people have something they like to mention to visitors. I befriended an employee who recommended seeing the only Da Vinci painting in America as well as this crazy blue rooster.
Nichola and I were all in for both pieces even though they literally could not be more different.
Seriously, friends: a 550 year old Florentine girl portrayed by one of the world’s masters versus a giant acrylic and steel blue rooster not even a decade old. They are vastly different.
Visiting the rooster gave access to two more things of note- an installation of giant numbers and a fabulous view of the Capitol building grounds.
So, yeah, having a destination is great. Just remember that some of the greatest finds and most fabulous experiences come as you chase that rabbit, or in this case a rooster, around the next bend.
Click here to read about that Da Vinci painting.
The Only Da Vinci In America
The only place in America where you will find a Leonardo da Vinci painting is the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC.
It is not large, measuring in at just 16.5”x 14.5” on wood. I read that it’s an early work of his and quite rare as he painted fewer than twenty oil paintings in his lifetime. Even the wealthiest American collectors can’t acquire them as European collectors have held on to these rare gems for generations. Acquiring this painting was quite an achievement for this museum.
Dating to the 1470s, it features the teenage daughter of a wealthy Florentine banker. On the reverse side is a painted wreath.
This museum has the best collection of Italian art in America and this is the most important piece in that collection. Consequently, this area of the museum was quite busy and the Da Vinci maintained a steady crowd.
Incidentally, we learned about it when I struck up a conversation with a museum employee. I always ask employees if they have a favorite thing to see and he was quick to recommend this and another piece.
The National Gallery of Art is enormous and is made up of two buildings connected underground. Learn more at their website.