The Bargello: Another "Must See" Museum in Florence

As I prepared for my trip to Florence, I made a short list of "must see" places. I also left a lot of free time for simply exploring and following the whims of each day. This proved to be a highly profitable strategy, giving me the opportunity to see an impressive M.C Escher retrospective and attend some Liberation Day events. 

The Bargello, however, was definitely on my short list of places I fully aimed to see. It did not disappoint. 

For those unfamiliar, the Bargello is a sculpture museum. It houses a stunning collection of sculptures from the Middle Ages and Renaissance, including works by Donatello, Michelangelo, and Cellini. The museum is also housed in a beautiful building, the Palazzo del Bargello, which was once a prison and fortress.

As I entered the first room I was confronted by the statue of Mercury (above) and my first thought: "So this is where the idea for the Mercury dime came from." Indeed much of what we see in our own Capitol was inspired or influenced by Renaissance art and architecture. Here are some of the photos I took from my visit there.

Michelangelo's "Bacchus"--wine goblet in hand, a crown of grapes.

Another Michelangelo piece: Brutus  

I took this photo to show the thread patterns in his robe.

Verrocchio's bronze interpretation of David slaying Goliath. Some say
David here was modeled after the artist's pupil, Leonardo da Vinci.

In addition to Verrocchio's David, there is a bronze David by Donatello

which you can read about here. 

Related: Check out these links to my
other stories from my Italy adventure. 

The Artists of Yellow Bird Fine Art Have Found a Nest in Duluth

Saturday I shared images from a multimedia project called FISHNETSTOCKINGS, now appearing at the Joseph Nease Gallery along with a pair of paintings by Jonathan Thunder. While there I learned about the Open House at the Yellow Bird Fine Art Gallery located adjacent to Zeitgeist. So nice to see the new resident in our Downtown Duluth Arts District.

There were many familiar faces at the opening, and the walls are filled with works by many or our regional artists. I thought I'd heard someone say that there are 70 artists represented, though I am not entirely sure I heard correctly. In addition to paintings, they have glass works, pottery and jewelry. Here are just a few of the names represented: Karl Weber, Kris Nelson, Karen Nease, Sophie Irvine, Margie Helstrom, Anna Marie Pavlik, Jean Hedstrom, Luke Hillestad, Sue Rauschenberg and many others.

The Yellow Bird Fine Art gallery is located on Superior Street at the corner of 3rd Avenue East, adjacent to the Zeitgeist. Here's a clip from Fox21 about the new gallery and its team.

Local Art Seen: Wendy Rouse's "What Goes Around" at Lizzard's

Yesterday I mentioned visiting Studio 101 during the Earth Day Gallery Hop here in the Twin Ports. Another gallery that participated in the gallery hop was Lizzard's Gallery on Superior Street, a 30 second walk from the Tischer Gallery, which also had its doors open.

Thursday evening Lizzard's hosted an opening reception for Wendy Rouse, whose work I have long admired. I was grateful for the opportunity to finally meet the artist, and to share a bit of her story here.

EN: There is a fairy tale quality to much of your work. Where does this influence come from?

Wendy Rouse: A fairy tale quality. Hmm. I have thought more about myths than fairy tales.

I like to tell stories with my paintings and I do find inspiration in fairy tales, nursery rhymes and myths. What fascinates me is the way fairy tales are impossible/ improbable yet we choose to believe them, this suspension of disbelief is what I want the viewer to have when looking at my paintings.

I prefer to paint from life, using toys and objects set on a table top or mirror. The objects are small and that smallness may contribute to the story book quality. For example the polar bear is a little toy and the iceberg is a piece of styrofoam. I use realism to convince the viewer that a little boy could sail into the arctic to check on a polar bear.

EN: Have you been doing art full time since UMD or did you have a career in between UMD and NYAA?

WR: Art full time? No My husband and I met in the restaurant business 40 years ago. We have worked in many restaurants and owned and operated two. The first was Lake Avenue Cafe in Canal Park and the second was Farm Table in San Francisco. Restaurant work cut into my painting time and energy but it paid the bills and was a nice break from being in the studio which can get lonely. After I earned my masters degree I did quite a bit of art teaching, community ed art classes, private lessons and a few art classes at St. Scholastica.

EN: I see a couple of paintings that have ties to the story of Narcissus. Can you say a little bit about these?

WR: The Greek and Roman myths have often been a backstory for my paintings. I think of myths as fairy tales for adults. Ancient societies use myths to explain the big things; love, life, death, nature and mankind's place as part of nature. These issues are just as relevant today. My paintings may look sweet and decorative but I paint slowly and have lots of time to think about serious issues that hide under the surface.

Narcissus was a beautiful young man who fell so in love with his image he fell into a pool and drowned and the beautiful nymph that loved him was heartbroken after Narcissus drowned and all that was left of her was an echo... the Greeks way of explaining where echos came from and warning about narcissism. I did some unintentional gender bending in my version; Narcissus female and Echo male -- maybe the result of living 3 years in San Francisco? Sometimes these paintings take on a life of their own.

EN: What did you learn from being a student of Chee that has stuck with you to this day?

WR: Chee stressed the importance of designing a painting. No matter what your subject or style, underlying design holds it all together. He was one of those instructors who truly shared his passion. Also, interested adults from the community often took Chee's classes, subsequently his classes had a different atmosphere than my other art classes at UMD.

EN: How did NYAA advance your skills, career as an artist?

WR: When I attended UMD in the early 80's it was all about creativity and expression. The fundamentals of drawing, anatomy, perspective, color were not taught, I guess that was out of style. I wanted to be able to draw and paint realistically and learn about oil painting. Thats what I got at NYAA and much more. They have a great Thursday night lecture series with a different artist from New York or beyond every week. A rigorous academic training but relating it to what was happening in the New York art scene. Plus spending two years in New York with access to museums and galleries was ideal.
* * * *

Receptions are always a nice way to meet the artist.
Thank you, Wendy, for sharing your work with us.

A very nice turnout for "What Goes Around" Thursday @ Lizzard's

* * * *

Next Friday, April 27

Three More Great Art Events

Here's the Lineup

The Inimitable Leah Yellowbird

SAME EVENING

Meantime, art goes on all around you. Engage it.

Local Art Seen: Karen Anderson's "Winter Woods" at Lakeside Gallery

Sign outside Lakeside Gallery on Saturday.

"When the weather outside is frightful..."

The warmth of an art gallery is so delightful, 

with refreshments and friends you know

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Yes, the roads may have been a little slick, but sand trucks and snow plows were out so you really could get around. Karen Anderson's opening at the Lakeside Gallery made for a nice destination, and as is often the case the place was abuzz. Anderson is a watercolorist who does nature scenes. Birch trees seems to be a favorite of many artists that painter/proprietor Aaron Kloss represents, and Anderson is no exception. They abundance of birch is an exhilarating part of living here in the Northland, and like the Great Lake many artists draw inspiration from this. 

The walls are awash with local art here. 

Like many artists, their reproduced pictures make great gift cards.

The guests on the right stand admiringly in front of Anderson's work.

The natural beauty of the region is compelling in any season.

The gallery has a wide range of gift items, locally made.

The title of Anderson's show is "Winter Woods."

Lakeside Gallery is located on Superior Street at 45th Avenue East. The door to the adjacent coffee shop is always open. Grab a cup of pick-me-up and enjoy the gallery. Anderson's show will be featured through the month of February.

Meantime, art goes all around you. Engage it.

Wordless Wednesday: Benchmark Tattoo -- Late November