Museums: National Gallery of Art #2

Our visit to the National Gallery of Art continues in the East Building.

The East Building typically exhibits modern and contemporary art, plus large temporary exhibitions.

When we visited, we learned the museum was hosting a small exhibition of modern art, including important works by Jackson Pollock.  Needless to day, Greg was very happy seeing many Pollock paintings.

Pictured below is Pollock's Mural.  The myth about the painting goes something like this:  Peggy Guggenheim, Pollock's patron, was planning an art exhibition and dinner for important people in her apartment.  She wanted to show a new work by Pollock.  She kept asking Pollock "Where's my painting?"  Pollock procrastinated, until the day before the event.  Then, over the course of one day, he started and finished Mural and delivered it to Peggy Guggenheim's apartment.

Sometimes, a myth is true, but not in this case.  The truth is that Pollock spent weeks working on the painting.  Scientific analysis confirmed that Pollock worked on the painting, allowed it to dry and then reworked it, painting over parts he had already finished.  So, in this instance, the myth is busted.  Still, the painting is an amazing work of art.  

   

Below is a portion of Lavender Mist, enlarged to show the detail. 

Thanks for visiting the National Gallery of Art with us.  Let's return soon.  There is much more to see.