Something Beautiful

Illuminated Manuscripts (at the NGA)

Inspired by yesterday's post, I've been looking around the newly revamped NGA site. The NGA has always, in my opinion, been a little stingy with its images. That is still true in some areas, but now much less so in others. Here is a page full of wonderful, zoomable images from illuminated manuscripts. There are 16 images in the top half of the page. Don't miss the additional 19 images further down.

NGA's 25 most requested images

I love this page. It displays the thumbnails of the 25 most requested images at the website of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. Just seeing so many great works on one page somehow has an effect on one's body. (Note that 25 more images are available on the very next page.)

Morgan Library (building)

The Morgan Library building itself is a work of art. You can best appreciate this by clicking on the photo of the building (white, on the left) and checking out the slideshow. Note that some rooms have multiple views.

Alternatively, you could just make your way down this list of the four rooms depicted in the slideshow:

1: East Room;
2: Rotunda;
3: West Room;
4: North Room.

You can also see a floorplan of the entire campus. You can get a somewhat different viewpoint of the whole by exploring the interactive floorplan. Note the four main, or original, rooms in the upper right corner of both maps.

Sacred Spain (Indianapolis)

The Indianapolis Museum hosted an exhibition last year titled Sacred Spain. The exhibition is now closed but its special microsite is still up. It's not a brilliant exhibition in my opinion, but it is moving and interesting.

A good way to get an initial feel for it is through the two virtual tours. And then take a look at image gallery.

Art movements (at the Guggenheim)

I've always loved this page on modern art movements at the Guggenheim museum site.

NGA Search - How do I love thee?

Let me count the ways.   You can find such wonderful things, in such delicious combinations.   Use Expanded search, of course.  Be sure to put a check in the "Images only" box.  Get ready to fall in love.

Doesn't sound like fun, you say?  Believe me, you could spend hours there and still want more.  :-) 

What is a print?

Here's another page that's been on the Net for quite a while -- What is a print? at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. It's nicely organized and definitely informative. There is a section each on (1) woodcuts; (2) etchings; (3) lithography; and (4) screenprints.

Seeing America

At the Memorial Gallery of Art site, first pointed out a couple of days ago, my favorite feature would have to be Seeing America, a selection of 73 works depicting various Americans and aspects of American life, all from the Museums's own collection.   The images are simply superb.  Strongly recommend you take a look! 

(As an example, here is a portrait that just knocks my socks off -- Old Woman with a Bible, ca. 1834, by Ammi Phillips.) 

Memorial Art Museum (Rochester, NY)

The Memorial Art Gallery in Rochester, NY, is full of gratifying surprises.  .   Its collection contains a number of fine works, and the website shows off many of them to good effect.   I like to use the portfolio page to find my way around.   Just choose one of the 154 portfolios offered, and go!

Annunciations (Getty) (2)

The Getty's paintings (as opposed to illuminations) of Annunciations are not as spectacular as some, but a couple of them are still very good --

Annunciation, ca. 1350, by Paolo Veneziano 

Annunciation, ca. 1390, by Tommasso del Mazza (two fine details)

Annunciation, 1450, by Dieric Bouts (personal favorite)

Annunciation, ca. 1660, by Godfried Schalcken