Dec 11, 2019 Art & Collection This is one of my favorite paintings in the gallery. There is so much to look at in this early American neighborhood that can now be found underneath the Brooklyn Bridge. Francis Guy himself was a member of this neighborhood and found artistic inspiration by observing the daily activities of his community. For me, this painting looks like one of those villages you find in a snowglobe or under a Christmas tree. See what new things you can find in this painting the next time you visit. A Tight Fix–Bear Hunting, Arthur Fitzwilliam Tait [Left] A Tight Fix–Bear Hunting, Early Winter, Arthur Fitzwilliam Tait, 1856, oil on canvas. [Right] Photo credit: Brooke Bailey.This scene of an early pioneer encountering a terrifying black bear might not be described as a winter “wonderland,” but our guests still like to have fun with it, especially our little ones! A Tight Fix is on view in the Early American Art Gallery. Winter in the Country, Jervis McEntee Winter in the Country, Jervis McEntee (1828 – 1891), 1890, Oil on canvas. Did anyone grow up in a place where you could go ice skating on a pond like this? I never did, but it’s fun to look at this painting and imagine a time when kids got together and spent the day skating and ice fishing. Artist Jervis McEntee wrote in his journal: “Some people call my landscapes gloomy and disagreeable. . . . They say I paint the sorrowful side of nature. . . . But this is a mistake. . . . Nature is not sad to me but quiet, pensive, restful.” Antarctica, Richard Estes Antarctica, Richard Estes (born 1932), 2007, Oil on canvas. This image might look like a photograph, but it’s actually a painting! Contemporary artist Richard Estes paints in a style that mimics the precision and light effects of photography. This style, known as Photorealism or Hyperrealism, often focuses on mundane, commonplace subjects—the type of subjects documented by everyday people with point-and-shoot cameras. While he was known for painting New York City buildings and streetscapes, Estes recently turned to subjects from nature, often based on his travels to remote locations. Come marvel at the beauty of this artwork, found in the Contemporary Art Gallery. Sculptures in the Snow! It’s not snowing in Northwest Arkansas yet, but when it does, consider taking a walk through one of the nature trails surrounding the museum. All of the outside sculptures such as Deer, Tortoise and Hare, and others, will be covered in snow, making the grounds feel like you’re walking through a winter wonderland. See you at the museum!
