I had a great week in Pennsylvania this last week! My wife, Shari, and I spent the last week at Illuxcon, but also went to the Norman Rockwell Museum, the Clark Institute and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. We also visited the R&F Paint factory in Kingston and had a great time seeing how they make their exceptional paint sticks and encaustic colors. I have so many inspiring images and things to share. Too much for one post though. Let’s start with some of the highlights from the Pennsylvania Museum of Art.
** If you like the images below, and want some REALLY big images of them, here is a link to a Google Drive folder. The nerdy photography side of me likes the challenge to see how good of a capture I can make of a painting in a museum. On this last trip, I think I upped my game a little. The hi-res version of the Tadema painting below, measures in at 16681 x 8301 pixels. At 300 dpi, you could print it 55 1/2″ wide, which is just 6 inches smaller than the original. It’s a huge file! Enjoy 🙂
Peter Severin Krøyer – Interior of a Tavern – Oil on canvas 1886
John Singer Sargent – Portrait of Lady Eden – Oil on canvas 1906
Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema – A Reading From Homer – Oil on canvas 1885
Eduard Charlemont – The Moorish Chief – Oil on canvas – 1878
Thanks for sharing these incredible, and dare I say humbling masterpieces. I particularly like the Krøyer and Charlemont pieces, which have wonderful lighting. The detail photos really demonstrate the skill of these great artists.
Yeah, those are amazing paintings. The crispness and fine detail on the Charlemont is incredible!
Philly has a great art museum. I hope you also had a chance to check out the Barnes when you were in town.
I didn’t, but I’ll be sure to catch it next time I am there!
Thank you for sharing. It was also great to watch you paint
Thank you and I am glad that you were able to be there for my demo!
Thank you for sharing these wonderful closeups. The details are breathtaking. I’d dare to say that only painters can truly appreciate mastery displayed in these works.
(Btw, don’t know if you’re familiar with Croatian turn of the century painters like Vlaho Bukovac or Mato Celestin Medović..? I uploaded some photos I’ve taken of their works on my blog. Don’t wish to hijack this thread, but if you’re interested I can link some posts.)
You’re welcome! I do know Bukovac’s work, and I love it! I didn’t know Medovic though. Thank you for the heads up! Please share links, I’d love to see the images you posted!
Hi Howard,
I really enjoy these type of posts and after rewatching the ‘how to paint skin video’ yesterday, it is a great way to appreciate how to build a painting. I find these pictures of yours not only great to look at, but also very educating. Thanks for sharing.
The closeup of Lady Eden is great. I can see the brushstrokes of her face- the directional changes of where the big planes break on the form is soooo cool.
Thnx