The Baltimore Museum of Art – newly renovated and looking great

November 15, 2015 at 4:14 pm (Art, Friends and friendship, Local interest (Baltimore-Washington))

The Baltimore Museum of Art has just emerged from a multi-year $28 million dollar renovation process.  This august institution – it turned one hundred last year – looks great. More space, more light – and more art on view.

The Merrick Entrance, closed f or over thirty years, has been reopened. It leads directly into the beautiful Fox Court:

Dorothy McIlvain Scott American Wing

Here are some of my favorite works from their collection:

Marguerite Gerard Family Group

The Preaching of St. Géry 15th century painter unknown [click to enlarge]

Clearing on the Forest – Narcisse-Virgile Diaz de la Peña

Master of the View of St. Gudule?

Johan Barthold Jongkind:  Moonlight on the Canal

Jean Pillement: Landscape with Ruin

Henri Rousseau: View from the Quai d’Ivry

A bonus on this fine autumn day was the sighting of the Harper Dairy, located at the western edge of the  museum’s grounds. (It is known there as the Spring House.) Robert Goodloe Harper, a lawyer and U.S. senator, was uncle to the Caton sisters, whose lives were so vividly portrayed in Jehanne Wake’s book Sisters of Fortune.

Harper Dairy

Another bonus of this visit was the companionship of my dear friend Robbie. We attended Goucher College all those years ago, and we’ve since been know as “the two Robertas.” An art lover like me, Robbie is soon to become a first time grandmother. It could not be happening to a sweeter, better person!