Dumbarton Oaks (Part 2 of 2)

Our tour of Dumbarton Oaks continues with a visit to the museum, The Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection.  

The museum's collection includes Byzantine and Pre-Columbian art, plus European paintings and tapestries.  The museum is located partly in the house and partly in a more recently built wing.  Greg especially liked the European art on display in the Music Room.  

Dumbarton Oaks:  The Music Room

Death of St. Peter Martyr by Jacobello del Fiore (Venice, 1380-1439, Venice) (1428, oil on tempera)

The Visitation by Domenikos Theotokopoulos/El /Greco (Crete, 1541-1614, Toledo) (1610-1614, oil on canvas) 

When we visited, the museum was preparing for a temporary exhibition, Juggling the Middle Ages.  The exhibition is based on a religious legend from the Middle Ages:  "A humble juggler-turned-monk struggles to think of a gift worthy of the Virgin Mary, before delivering a heartfelt juggling performance in front of her statue. If this story seems familiar, that’s because over the centuries it has inspired films, books, even an opera, and has parallels in an iconic Christmas carol. Through all these adaptations, however, the heart of the tale is never lost. At its core, the endlessly relatable story, called Le Jongleur de Notre Dame or Our Lady’s Tumbler, affirms the importance of art." 

Below is a stained glass window depicting the Juggler's story.

If you like Byzantine and Pre-Columbian art, then you will enjoy viewing the museum's collection by clicking here--Byzantine and here--Pre-Columbian 

The best part of the museum's collection is not a work of art or artifact.  It is the gallery housing the Pre-Colmbian artwork, opened in 1960.  The gallery was designed by genius American architect Philip Johnson, known for his innovative use of glass.  The gallery (pictured below) is a grouping of 8 cylindrical rooms with glass walls, which make it appear as if the artwork is floating in a lush outdoor garden.  

Thanks for visiting Dumbarton Oaks with us.

P.S.  The Pop Quiz answer is Fitzwilliam.  Who knew?