The little museum in Central Park is a mystery to me. I'm aware of the
Frick (which has a lot of Renoirs) and the Gugenheim, both on 5th
avenue next to the park, but I don't know of any museums in the park.
But there's a lot I don't know :-). (The Frick is a real treat, by the
way, because it's located in a fabulous old New York City mansion.)
I agree that one must step back to appreciate a Monet. A few weeks
ago I visited the Detroit Institute of the Arts. They have a very nice
collection, including a couple of Van Goghs, Degas and Renoirs and a lot
of nice Rennaissance work. But the afternoon's most telling moment
occured when I stepped into one gallery and spotted Monet's "Gladiolas"
across the hall. It absolutely stood out from the rest of the work. I'm
no expert; I'm not even well schooled, but I just love the impact of the
Monet work. But, as you said, it's best appreciated at a distance.
Mike Johnston wrote:
>
> > However, one of my favorite museum
> > experiences was NY's MOMA, which is now temporarily relocated. They have
> > a relatively small collection of impresionists, but it includes Van
> > Gogh's "Starry Night." That painting is such a powerful icon that
> > viewing it in person left me speachless.
>
> Paul,
> What is the little museum in Central Park that has so much modern art? It's
> part of the Met I think. I saw some great de Kooning there once.
>
> Monet doesn't grab me as much in person as some others. It's almost like you
> have to step back from it to see it, and it's _fairly_ well served by book
> reproduction.* Van Gogh, on the other hand, has the same effect on me as you
> describe. Another painter who is just wonderful in the original is Mark
> Rothko. Much as I like books of his work, the real thing is another planet.
> Virtually the only painter I would really like to own. Anselm Kiefer is also
> very powerful in the original.
>
> I think my favorite of all is Franz Kline, but of course that could be
> because I'm a black-and-white guy...<g>
>
> --Mike
>
> *Well, I guess "fairly" is a relative term....
