When we planned our Charleston outing for our anniversary, we were going to visit a few antique stores and then have a nice dinner. My aunt’s proposition changed that, though. We knew we would be transporting two large paintings in bulky frames home, so space would be at a premium. (We won’t mention all of the shells I was bringing home, too!) For that reason, we decided not to go to the antique store. I have a knack for finding impossibly large items at the most amazing prices when I don’t have room to get them home. So, let’s not even tempt that scenario. Instead, we decided to visit a local bookshop and the Gibbes Museum.
I never would’ve pegged Jeff as someone who would do anything more than endure a museum visit, but he has come to appreciate and even enjoy them. In truth, I had to learn the value of art museums as well. Even when I went to Paris as a fledgling artist, I thought going to a museum might be a waste of time. There was so much to see and do, and I can look at the paintings in my books. Well, I learned that standing in the presence of an original work is vastly different from admiring it in a book. It really did transform my idea of masterpieces and master artists. Instead of elevating fine art out of my reach, it made it feel accessible. It was just paint applied with brushes on canvas. The outcome was magical, but the process, materials, and tools were all common and ones I could own and learn to use more effectively with practice. It gave me hope, and I was hooked on seeing art in person. Art by masters, art by the unknown and undercelebrated. So, this was another chance to do that.
The Gibbes is a relatively small museum that features antique furniture, sculptures, paintings, sketchbooks, miniatures, and a few contemporary pieces in addition to temporary exhibits.
For someone who has never considered myself a dog person, dogs have become my favorite subject in art. (I was always honest with Sebastian and told him I wasn’t a dog person, but I was, however, very much a Sebastian person.) When I look back through my pictures taken at museums, I seem to photograph portraits and dogs the most.
My favorite place at the Gibbes was the room with a small collection of Impressionist pieces. I recognized this still life immediately as one by William Merritt Chase. I had just seen a similar one in person last summer when visiting our local Washington County Museum in Maryland. I’m always a little pleased with myself when I identify an artist’s work at first glance.
I loved the dress in this painting by Childe Hassam.
The scrubby brush marks are right up my alley.
I also liked his portrayal of the daffodils.
This painting is “The Sisters” by Edmund Tarbell. Again, I love the dresses and the brushwork.
I was over the moon to see another portrait by Robert Henri. His portrait of a young boy in the Washington County Museum was my favorite. I intend to visit him regularly. This portrait by Henri was also stunning.
As much as I loved the face, I was even more interested in looking at his treatment of the background. The subtle shifts in color and tone make it so interesting.
I love this little gem, too. It is “Meeting Street” by Ivan Summers, an artist who I am not familiar with.
As soon as I spotted this watercolor in the contemporary section, I knew it was by the artist whose book I purchased at the bookshop less than an hour before going to the museum – Mary Whyte. The depth and realism she achieves with watercolor is truly remarkable. I was even more excited to read through her book and study her work.
The portrait was so alive – the scratchiness of his facial hair, the glassiness of his eyes, the light bouncing off his skin – it was all so beautifully rendered.
This enormous oil painting by Bo Bartlett also held my attention for a long time. I love how he captured so much personality in each posture. I read on the marker that Bartlett is also a filmmaker, and that makes total sense. The painting looks like a still from a movie.
And, of course, I enjoyed the sketchbooks they put on display. Look at these tiny watercolors mixed in with the script.
There were even a few art supplies on display – a bone palette and some pigment pots.
Here are a few other things that caught my eye. As you can see, aside from the hunting still life of the dead birds, it’s all portraits and dogs.
While it’s not the same as visiting the museum, I hope you enjoyed this virtual tour of the Gibbes Museum through my eyes.
I still have writing and painting to do today, but I’m going to take advantage of a gorgeous spring day and do a bit of work in the garden…
