Monday, March 21, 2011

Construction at the Atheneum


The Wadsworth Atheneum's renovations are supposed to be finished this summer.  Most of the work has been the thankless task of fixing the roof . . . lots of money, entirely necessary, but no more space and no new features.  The museum has been open during renovations, but I am sure attendance has been hurt by the construction barriers that obscure the building.

The lead exhibition today is Monet's water lilies.  I didn't go in today.  I will have to see it later.

Nathan Hale's statue is bravely standing amidst the construction materials.  I showed him before here and here.
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26 comments:

  1. LowellMarch 21, 2011 at 7:28 AM

    Nice building! Impressive tribute to Hartford! But I doubt the construction stuff hurt attendance. When we visited the palace at Versailles, they were remodeling and construction stuff obscured whole sections of it...but zillions of people were there screaming to get in.

    Well, maybe not screaming, but...

    Yeah, Candler Hills is a very nice golf course. Not as difficult as Stone Creek, but is different enough to make it an enjoyable outing.

    What's this about not caring where the ball lands? One of my two friends says it's a terrible game and if he didn't love it so much he'd quit playing!

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  2. VPMarch 21, 2011 at 7:39 AM

    Please don't get lost in Monit's lilies! Honor to the brave Nathan Hale, a really beautiful and noble statue.

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  3. MoMarch 21, 2011 at 7:43 AM

    Make sure you get to see those stunning water lillies

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  4. KateMarch 21, 2011 at 9:59 AM

    I wonder if the museum will let you take photos inside? It would be nice to get a shot or two of the paintings. The building looks pretty massive.

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  5. VirginiaMarch 21, 2011 at 10:07 AM

    Good ole Nathan, ever the faithful servant! :) THis is a lovely structure, but we all need patching as we age! HA Even the Louvre had cranes and such in January.

    Now go back and see M. Monet's lilies. He worked very hard on them!
    V

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  6. SharonMarch 21, 2011 at 10:14 AM

    I love the building and I'm glad too see that Nathan has held his ground.

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  7. Cezar and LéiaMarch 21, 2011 at 10:30 AM

    This is an amazing and important building.Thanks for the sculpture shot as well!I love the arches in the entrance.
    So nice they are taking good care of it!
    Hugs
    Léia

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  8. cieldequimperMarch 21, 2011 at 10:38 AM

    I'm sure Nathan Hale has seen worse. Monet? And there's no queue? Gosh, you'd have to stand in line for about 5 hours here!
    I think I recognise where yesterday's chap, sorry I mean gal, was walking along...

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  9. DawnMarch 21, 2011 at 11:05 AM

    Oh...so jealous you get to see the Monet!
    And that statue? What a brave one! He looks to be in a very precarious position.....

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  10. LoisMarch 21, 2011 at 11:36 AM

    It is a grand looking building. I would love to see that water lily exhibit!

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  11. lizziviggiMarch 21, 2011 at 12:02 PM

    It reminds me of when we had to shore up a corner of our house a couple years ago-- the beams were rotting underneath. Same story-- spending lots of money and time and effort on something that did not contribute to the beauty of our home. It hurts... but it's necessary!

    You'll have to let us know how Monet was when you get back there.

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  12. RedPatMarch 21, 2011 at 12:16 PM

    I would love to see the water lilies! Enjoy them when you get there!

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  13. UnknownMarch 21, 2011 at 12:48 PM

    I'm still working a good time to visit. Right now it's snowing (mixed with rain) and has been for about three hours straight. I could use some water lilies right about now!

    Thanks as always for your glimpses of Hartford and its goings-on, Jack!
    Gina

    Gina

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  14. HalcyonMarch 21, 2011 at 1:37 PM

    Good old Nathan! He'll weather any storm. Sorry to hear there won't be any rennovations to the building. But it's lucky it got a new roof. A lot of institutions have fallen on hard times in the recession. Would love to see the Waterlilies. Hope you get back before the exhibit closes.

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  15. jooMarch 21, 2011 at 2:10 PM

    Wow, Monet's Lilies? You have to go!
    Nice building, by the way:)

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  16. Clueless in BostonMarch 21, 2011 at 2:22 PM

    That's an interesting looking building. Can't wait to see the finished product.

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  17. UnknownMarch 21, 2011 at 2:46 PM

    If I was Nathan I was very worried about that crane! :-) Enjoy the lilies, Jack.

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  18. youth_in_asiaMarch 21, 2011 at 3:24 PM

    It's a gorgeous building. Those old roofs are difficult. I checked out a church that redid its slate roof and spent nearly $1,000,000 on it. You wouldn't know if no one told you.

    I think you could manage out at night! I just started doing it a few months back and REALLY like it. It's a unique set of challenges. Anyway, thanks for the nice words. I certainly agree about (and enjoy) different perspectives.

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  19. CildemerMarch 21, 2011 at 3:41 PM

    Great building! Would love to go there and see Monet's water lilies too.

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  20. SRQMarch 21, 2011 at 4:53 PM

    Nathan looks as though he's standing guard over the museum. Btw, that's a great name for a pub. If it was located in SRQ, I'd have some great additions for their walls.

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  21. Regina KMarch 21, 2011 at 7:06 PM

    What a wonderful buildings. I am buying my ticket for Monet here.

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  22. EG CameraGirlMarch 21, 2011 at 8:23 PM

    Renovations can be awfully expensive. The Monet exhibit ought to be wonderful.

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  23. SailorMarch 21, 2011 at 8:46 PM

    Looking forward to lots more pictures from inside the museum.

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  24. MichelleMarch 21, 2011 at 9:32 PM

    I would love to see that Monet exhibit.

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  25. RandyMarch 21, 2011 at 10:19 PM

    I would love to see that exhibition too. Are you going to sneak a few shots?

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  26. MalyssMarch 22, 2011 at 6:08 AM

    I agree with Ciel: Monet and no queue?!!!We would cut one of our arms to be able to see a Monet exhibition without queueing here!
    What a strange building, both old and new, I wonder about this architecture..

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