Monday Morning Museum: Thomas Crawford

Thomas Crawford, the Sculptor, circa 1876

Thomas Crawford – Tuesday 22 March 1814 New York, New York to Saturday 10 October 1857 London, England

American Neoclassical Sculptor

Genius of Mirth, 1843

“While on a visit to Crawford's Roman studio in 1842, Henry Hicks of New York commissioned a piece of sculpture, leaving the subject entirely to the sculptor. Crawford's choice of a youthful dancer was almost certain to please his new patron, for images of children were popular in nineteenth-century art. Most likely inspired by a copy of the Hellenistic sculpture "Dancing Faun," Crawford completed this work in marble in Rome in 1843. He described this "statue of Youth" as "a boy of seven or eight years, dancing in great glee, and tinkling a pair of cymbals, the music of which seems to amuse him exceedingly. The sentiment is joyousness throughout. It is evident no thought of the future troubles his young mind: and he may consider himself very fortunate in being made of marble; for thus his youth remains without change." Crawford first exhibited "Genius of Mirth" at the National Academy of Design in New York in 1844.” – Metropolitan Museum of Art

Last Monday’s Artist – Ogata Korin
Next Monday’s Artist – Adolphe Braun

“Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: Ogata Korin

Ogata Korin - Kyoto 1658 to Saturday 2 June 1716

Japanese Painter

Irises at Yatsuhashi (Eight Bridges), after 1709

Medium: Pair of six-panel folding screens; ink, color, and gold leaf on paper

Dimensions: Image (each screen): 64 7/16 in. x 11ft. 6 3/4 in. (163.7 x 352.4 cm) Overall (each screen): 70 1/2 in. x 12 ft. 2 1/4 in. (179.1 x 371.5 cm)

- Metropolitan Museum of Art

Last Monday’s Artist - Diego Rodríguez de Silva y Velázquez
Next Monday’s Artist – Thomas Crawford

“Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: Diego Rodríguez de Silva y Velázquez

Self-Portrait, circa 1640 by Diego Rodriguez de Silva y Velazquez

Diego Rodríguez de Silva y Velázquez - Wednesday 6 June 1599 Seville, Spain to Monday 6 August 1660 Madrid, Spain

Spanish Baroque Era Painter

Portrait of a Man, circa 1630-1635

“This is an informal portrait rather than a highly finished work, with the head brought to a higher degree of finish than the torso and pale gray background. Was it conceived as an independent portrait, or was it, rather, painted as a study with a view to including the sitter in the "Surrender of Breda", which contains many portraits? Can the identification of the figure as Velázquez be dismissed out of hand, since in the "Surrender of Breda" he appears as an observer rather than a direct participant in the action and looks out at the viewer in the way often associated with the insertion of a self-portrait? In the absence of documents, the matter remains highly speculative. There is, moreover, the question of his resemblance (or non-resemblance) to bona fide portraits of Velázquez and the fact that in the "Surrender of Breda" he is attired like other members of the Spanish contingent. Under these circumstances, the MMA has retained the title "Portrait of a Man".” – Metropolitan Museum of Art

Last Monday’s Artist – Mark Rothko
Next Monday’s Artist – Ogata Korin

“Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: Mark Rothko

Mark Rothko

Mark Rothko (Marcus Rothkowitz) – Dvinsk, Vitebsk Province, Russian Empire Friday 25 September 1903 to Wednesday 25 February 1970 Manhattan, New York
Latvian-born American Abstract Expressionist Painter

No. 13 (White, Red on Yellow), 1958

“In Rothko's oeuvre color varies greatly, and it evokes a full range of emotions. The primary hues of red and yellow that make up "No. 13 (White, Red on Yellow)" are bright and joyous, while other works are composed of dark, brooding maroons, blues, and greens. In the two years before his suicide in 1970, the artist produced a large series of dark paintings, the majority of which were executed on paper with acrylics. Made up of opaque, monochromatic grays, browns, and blacks, these works are generally simpler in structure and eliminated the floating effect that previously enlivened paintings like "No. 13 (White, Red on Yellow)."” – Metropolitan Museum of Art

Last Monday’s Artist – John White Alexander
Next Monday’s Artist – Diego Rodríguez de Silva y Velázquez
“Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: John White Alexander

Photograph of John White Alexander, 1901

John White Alexander – Tuesday 7 October 1856 Allegheny, Pennsylvania to Monday 31 May 1915 New York
American Symbolist Painter

Repose, 1895

Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 52 1/4 x 63 5/8 in. (132.7 x 161.6 cm)
– Metropolitan Museum of Art

Last Monday’s Artist - Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes
Next Monday’s Artist – Mark Rothko
“Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent