Saturday we stretched our legs, saw three of the current exhibitions, enjoyed a light meal in The Galleria, and revisited a few of our favorite works before catching the MBTA Green line (right outside the Huntington Avenue door) and making our way home.
Luis Meléndez: Master of the Spanish Still Life
This show has been on our "must see" list since it opened in February. We were fortunate to choose Saturday when a member of the Art of Europe Curator's staff was giving 15-minute Spotlight Talks about the exhibit.
We learned that a request for the loan of two of the MFA's Meléndez works ended with the show being brought to Boston, and with the MFA learning a good deal about the pieces it owns.
The MFA explained that this exhibit "... also explores the artist’s creative process by looking at his working methods and materials. Technical studies conducted on the still lifes indicate that Meléndez made many changes before completing a painting to his satisfaction, sometimes altering the placement or types of objects. X-rays show that he sometimes reused his canvases. This is the case with Still Life with Beef, Bowl of Ham and Vegetables, and Receptacles (Private Collection, c. 1772), whose painted surface obscures a portrait of King Ferdinand VI. It is one of five paintings paired with a corresponding x-ray image in the exhibition."
It was fascinating to see how the artist worked, and what was under the finished paintings. We loved the Spotlight Talk, hope this concept proves popular, and becomes a regular option for those visiting the museum.
The Amazon reviewers say there are umbrellas that will stand up to the weather we have here in Boston. Here are a couple along with a book from the MFA. Start all your Amazon shopping from BostonZest to keep the information coming your way.
Details:
Museum of Fine Arts
Avenue of the Arts, 465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115-5597 ( Map & Reviews )
(617) 267-9300
www.mfa.org
Writers: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: Courtesy of Museum of Fine Arts
