Brooklyn Museum of Art: Eastern Parkway

So about 12 years ago I had won a free 1 year subscription to the Brooklyn Museum of Art and never bothered to even look it up.  Ok, so the internet was not as big and I was working so feverishly that I hardly had time to breathe let alone visit a museum, but still.... I have been wanting to correct this omission for a while now and I finally did last Sunday (they are closed on Mondays; see Brooklyn Museum Info).

I was shocked to find that the Brooklyn Museum of Art is like the Metropolitan Museum in scope and perhaps even in scale (see photo at the top of the Greek revival and modern exterior) but with a quirky Brooklyn style and focus.  They have antiquities from Ancient Egypt (yes, even a coffin and mummy board) to modern jewelry makers like Brooklyn artist Art Smith (see "Galaxy earrings and necklace at right).

They have innumerable alcoves decorated with period (1600s-early 1900s) furnishings as well as a collage piece from 32 year old artist Rashaad Newsome called "Status Symbol #20 that is a commentary about American hunger for luxe consumer goods and celebrities like L.L.Cool J. (see photo at left of the "status coat of arms" that includes race cars, Rolex watches, and other jewelry).

You can be admiring the Museum's collection of paintings by Monet, Cezanne, Pissaro, Millet, Degas, Goya, Picasso, and Manet  or looking over their extensive African or East Asian art collections while listening to the samba music piped in through the speakers in the galleries.  It is great!

They have really interesting art by women artists, but they aren't "preachy"--how refreshing!  The Dinner Party by Judy Chicago is an icon of feminist art, which represents 1,038 women in history—39 women are represented by place settings (see Emily Dickenson's at right) and another 999 names are inscribed in the Heritage Floor on which the triangularly-arranged banquet table rests (see below).

Somehow, the Brooklyn Museum of Art manages to be a serious museum that doesn't take itself too seriously, and thereby they make the museum experience super enjoyable.  They are currently displaying some of their more classic paintings by theme (rather than by artist) and it is great to be able to compare portraiture, landscapes, and religious works this way.  Even though one of the five floors of the museum was closed for exhibition preparation, I thought the $10 fee was well worth it. 

You might consider making it a whole Brooklyn day by visiting the Brooklyn Museum of Art and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden (please see my prior blog at Brooklyn Botanic Garden Blog), which is right next door.  What a great day that would be!

The Hispanic Society of America: Broadway and 156th St

Statuary in Audubon Terrace in front of the Society with iconic equestrian statue of El Cid
by American sculptor, Anna Hyatt Huntington

 WHAT A HIDDEN JEWEL!

The Hispanic Society of America has an amazing collection of tin-glazed earthenware, tiles, and ceramics ranging from 3000 year old Bell-Beaker pottery to contemporary works.  Their 150 piece Spanish luster-ware collection is considered the finest in the U.S. (see right--ok, the plate I chose to feature was one that I was personally drawn to because originally I thought the dog pictured was a poodle, like my beloved Biscuit, but I think, given that this is the Hispanic Society (and not the French one), it is probably a Portuguese Waterdog)  Other decorative arts include silver, glasswear, ivory-detailed furniture, silks and embroidery, and jewelry.

If your interests lie in sculpture or archeology, the Society's collection of Spanish antiquities, which is considered the most important outside of Spain is simply amazing.  There are Roman mosaics, statuary, Islamic and Christian works from the Middle Ages.  What sets the Society's display apart from others (like the fantastic one at The Cloisters -- see my prior blog), is that visitors can really get up close and personal with the pieces (see detail in an architectural remnant at left). 

Actually, I think that they receive such few visitors -- I was the only visitor there for over an hour! -- that the guards don't really do much of anything.  Please give these guys something to do and visit this magnificent art collection; it's always FREE!

But really, the crown jewel of the Society's collection are its paintings.  They have original paintings by, among others, Diego Velazquez, Francisco de Goya, Domenikos Theotokopoulos (El Greco -- see right), and Joaquin Sorolla y Bastida.

The Sorolla paintings are my absolute favorite--it reminds me of the Sorolla Museum (which was once the painter's home) where I spent countless afternoons when I lived in Madrid during my junior year in college.  The way Sorolla captures water and sunlight on skin in summer time beach scenes is something that I have never forgotten and believe no one can match (see left and right--yes, I know these pictures are terrible, but hopefully that will encourage you to come see them for yourself).


The Sorolla Room's breathtaking panoramic series of 14 canvases illustrating life in Spain in the early 1900s is a beautiful way for the Society to share with visitors a celebration of Spanish culture, costumes, and pastoral life.  I have included some pictures below, but really they do not do the paintings justice and you should really visit the galleries here (Hispanic Society Info).

I can't emphasize this enough.  After several months of exploring NYC I think this place is really one of the best kept secrets and hidden jewels of the City.  Please visit The Hispanic Society of America.  You'll be abundantly rewarded for the effort of coming all the way up to 156th Street.