The second day of our Washington DC trip included a very nice surprise. We got up early so we could go to the Spy Museum. When we saw the horrendously long line we had to think quick and come up with a Plan B. The kids were really bummed, but we promised a treat after the next museum. Unbeknownst to us right behind the kids in this photo was the beautiful Smithsonian American Art Museum. It is a total gem and a must see!
Alyssa was thrilled to see the original painting, Pocahontas, by an unidentified artist circa 1760-1770.
I was thrilled to see this painting, Benjamin Franklin, by Joseph Sifred Duplessis circa 1778.
The kids were super excited to go upstairs to the Native American paintings.
Delaney loved this painting of the Native American woman by George Catlin.
An Indian Ball-Play by George Catlin circa 1846-1850
I adore sculpture! These busts reminded me of the ones I admired in the Louvre back in 1998. Wish I could take the kids there soon so they could learn to appreciate good sculpture too!
We Both Must Fade (Mrs. Fithian) by Lilly Martin Spencer circa 1869
I love how delicate the lace in her dress appears in this painting.
The little ones kept themselves occupied by chilling on the circular benches.
Alyssa loved this bust!
We believe in being modest at all times and the little ones really struggled with seeing nudes. It was difficult to explain that we could look at the nudes in these sculptures and paintings. Delaney hadn't seen any nude men until she came across this sculpture. She was so embarrassed!
Breathtaking stained glass, Peacocks and Peonies II by John La Farge circa 1882.
Braxton cracked us up when he proclaimed that it looked like the stained glass in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom in Harry Potter. (Ever the Harry Potter fan!)
My favorite was this stunning garden painting. It took my breathe away. I want a copy for my living room.
In the Garden by Thomas Wilmer Dewing circa 1892-1894
The brush strokes are so soft and delicate which create these beauties standing exquisitely in the garden.
Alyssa wished she could sit and play on this piano.
When we turned the corner and stumbled upon this sculpture which almost made me cry. One of my favorites, Eleanor Roosevelt, used to come and sit in front of the original sculpture that resides in the Rock Creek Cemetery in Washington DC. After she discovered that her husband, Franklin D. Roosevelt, was having an affair with Eleanor's social secretary, Lucy Mercer, she would sit in front of it in grief and solace for hours on end. This sculpture is so full of pain, suffering, and confusion.
Adams Memorial by Augustus Saint-Gaudens circa 1891
Adoration of St. Joan of Arc by J. William Fosdick circa 1896
Fall in the Foothills by W. Herbert Dunton circa 1933-1934
This painting is very symbolic in our lives right now. More on that another day.
Old Black Joe by Horace Pippin circa 1943
Love the thick, heavy brush strokes!
Braxton loved the Video Game exhibit.
Must come back another day just without children in order to spend hours on end looking through their enormous archive. Look how large this room is and it is full to the brim with paintings and sculpture.
Alyssa loves Greek mythology and was blown away when we happened upon Artemis the goddess of the hunt. It really made her day!
There is a beautiful atrium.
We had the yummiest lunch of pretzel wrapped hot dogs which we enjoyed eating on top of the Smithsonian American Art Museum steps. It was a perfect way to finish up our time in this part of DC.
Enjoyed some amazing street musicians playing on buckets. Our view seriously rocked! Such fun!
No comments:
Post a Comment