Art Friday

Lord gave me the golden opportunity to tour the permanent collections of the North Carolina Museum of Art before the mid-day crowds descended. A charmingly functional edifice.

I think probably the most famous objet d’art in the building is:

Boticelli Adoration of the Child

Lovely for the Christmas cards, but not exactly my personal cup of tea.

I have put some hate on Andrew Wyeth before. My own mom called him a ‘poseur’ on this very website. “Christina’s World,” as I noted, leaves me utterly cold. But NCMA has a Wyeth that knocked me, rocked me:

Winter 1946

I will let you investigate the occasion of this painting, if you so choose. IMHO, it stands on its own as a dizzying exposition.

The most fascinating thing I learned in the Kanof Judaic Art Gallery, which is, in itself, worth driving to Raleigh to see.

Esther scroll

Apparently, Jewish fathers living under the Ottomans customarily gave these to their daughters’ suitors as gifts. Great message: No one should mess with the Almighty God of Israel, to whom my daughter devoutly prays. So walk the straight and narrow, buddy–and, please God, we can look forward to many happy Purims together.

Guest Contributors

We welcome guest contributors to the on-going discussion and debate on Preacher and Big Daddy.

First of all, don’t miss Loeb Award-nominated Ben White’s exposé on the front page of today’s New York Times. He will discuss this on MSNBC this evening! (Between 6:00 and 6:45.)

Coming up Short

The March for Life just keeps getting shorter and shorter.

We used to start at the Ellipse (15th St., N.W.) Then we started at 7th St. This afternoon we started at 4th St.

So it was really the Stroll for Life up Capitol Hill. Nonetheless, it was inspiring and beautiful. There were lots and lots and lots of people. It was the most warm and sunny day we have had for the march for years.

So there is hope. But…

Lonely Open American Spaces

Christina's World by Andrew Wyeth (1917-2009)

May the painter of this masterpiece rest in peace.

Now that the American landscape is dotted with cellphone towers, the places captured in the paintings of Wyeth and Edward Hopper are not as wonderfully lonely as they once were.

Don’t forget: The Hoyas take on #2 Duke at 1:30! Game is on CBS!

Gas by Edward Hopper