Reflection from Clark Museum

As I walked in to the museum, I was laughed. I laughed because the gift shop was the first and the last thing you saw when you are at the museum. It was typical. I am happy to report that that was the last typical event at the museum. I spent a lot of time in the first room, which gave me a good education about the founders, where their money had come from, their passions, their family line, their travels, their love for the horses and their true desire to acquire and display art for the sake of displaying and sharing. All art obtained through auctions was bid under the name “Mr. Anonymous” which to me showed his passion for the arts, rather then the notoriety of being a mass collector. He credits his wife, Francine, as having an eye for interesting pieces. Getting a sense of who the collector was and what they stood for open my ability to understand many of the pieces. It was interesting to see the notations indicating which pieces originally hung in their own home. Having this knowledge allowed me to appreciate the piece for not only what I saw but also what it stood for by its original owner. The museum was laid out nicely with rooms set up to lend themselves to the tone of the pieces that garnished the walls. I particularly like the piece titled “The Bouquet” The girl was nervous (she was biting on her nail slightly) by the news that was presented in the letter. There was an overflowing bouquet on the bench of the piano. I stood for quite a while trying to figure out what could possibly be in the letter. It was obviously upsetting to her and whoever gave her the letter attached it to the bouquet. The envelope on the floor was small enough to be affixed to the paper that gently wrapped the bouquet. I can only imagine what it was. I also enjoyed the “Thumbs Down” painting, not because of the piece but rather for the conversation that it invited me to have with the folks in my group. We stood around and discussed it and I learned quite a bit from them. I truly enjoyed this museum and I look forward to returning whether on my time or next year.