Tag Archives: european art

The Cloisters: Medieval Art at the Summit of Manhattan

Looking for a European getaway for the price of a Metrocard? There are five Medieval French Cloisters connected by galleries full of period art sitting on four acres of land that overlook the Hudson River in Fort Tyron Park. This extension of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, know as the Cloisters, has been called “the crowning achievement of American museology” by the former director of the Louvre in Paris – and he would know. Here atop grassy peaks at the top of Manhattan are all forms of European Medieval art, from paintings to tapestries to sculptures and stained glass and even parts of the structure itself. The indoors spaces flow seamlessly into the outdoor cloisters and gardens and the breathtaking views of the Hudson River valley are always there peaking out between the columns and archways. The Cloisters is a beautiful and enchanting glimpse into history and well worth the trek uptown.

cloisters

The DAM Bursts with Surprises

Picture 9You don’t even have to step inside to see the art of the Denver Art Museum (a.k.a. the DAM): its ultramodern, extra-angular two-building exterior is a masterwork in itself, designed by world-famous architects Gio Ponti and Daniel Libeskind, respectively.

But once you do, you’ll discover a collection that’s remarkable for a mid-sized metropolis. While it runs the standard gamut from European painting to pre-Columbian artifacts, it’s especially strong in some unexpected areas, namely American Indian art and American graphic design.

But the biggest artistic surprise awaits in the bathroom: when you wash your hands, you’ll be treated to a round of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat,” courtesy of Jim Green’s notorious automatic singing sinks.