The Great
Hall at the Wadsworth Atheneum underwent a long restoration. It is now
gray and exhibits modern art. Before, the walls were red and it showed
huge historic and biblical paintings. (The paintings gave Susie nightmares.)I liked it better before.
This hall is in the Morgan Building, given by J. P. Morgan in honor of his father.
27 comments:
A beautiful hall and I would love visiting the exhibitions there!
Léia
Very grand
i'm with you, jack.
I love the deep red walls Jack ... A wonderful backdrop for those superb pieces of art ....what a pity they changed it..
I am not a lover of biblical paintings, but I guess they were slighytly better than what is shown now. I really like the hall of the Morgan Building.
I like it now, but I do hope they have the Biblical paintings showing somewhere.
I must say that I prefer the old red hall..Much more impressive, and I also prefer the biblical paintings.
Looks very nice Jack!
I liked the red walls and heavy historical paintings better before too.
In 1999 we had our wedding reception in the hall. Our family and guests still talk about how grand it all was!
I remember being scared of a painting of a guy's head on a plate. Was it biblical, or just European history? ;)
Oh my! The restoration is far superior!
And that's the truth from the Old Howling Bastard! Very funny comment, you rascal, you!
What a great room.
I'm with you on this one. I like the color before the restoration. However, the light in this hall make it perfect for viewing art.
Yep, count me in! I, too, really like the color before restoration! Terrific captures of a beautiful place! Would love to visit there. Hope your week is going well, Jack!
Sylvia
I am pretty sure it was a biblical painting. When I find time, I might put my googling skills to work on identifying it.
Gosh you couldn't get more different if you tried Jack, that's a complete transformation. I think I might have to go against the trend, I love the red walls from before, but prefer the modern art to the 'scary' biblical stuff!
You probably knew I would go for the modern - like the balcony that has appeared and prefer that art. I do like the pink walls though.
I'm not too much into biblical paintings either, though there are a few Italian or Flemish masters that I really don't mind looking at. :-) The new, modern, subdued grey look is something that seems to be rather fashionable.
I love both.The 'new' version looks so clean and airy!
I like both versions but I think a light coloured wall is better for colourful modern art.
Both versions work for me though I do prefer the reno.
Hmmm... I like the red walls better. I think they make a bigger contrast with the art. But I prefer the modern stuff to the Biblical paintings. I can appreciate the technique and artistry in those works, but the subject matter doesn't interest me.
I like it better with grey walls shows off that beautiful ceiling.
Seems the new Great Hall is getting mixed reviews, Jack. First, let me say I'm impressed you have before and after photos to show us. That being said, I don't find the renovation appealing at all. Nope! I believe the nightmarish painting you and Susie are referring to is John the Baptist's head on a platter (from the book of Matthew).
I like them both! As you know, I do like lots of contemporary art (I do stop at gross stuff, some of which I saw ever so briefly at LA MOCA Pacific Standard exhibit and so wish I did not) and the bright colors of the new are very appealing. The old exhibit had some terrific art pieces and the wall color was a delight.
In both cases, you've done so well photographing a truly great hall.
Just like you I prefer the red walls. Just like Grace I'd like to see modern art on red walls - I really have no affinity with biblical paintings.
I just LOVE before/after shots and yours beats the lot!
Both have positives and negatives, such as life does. I noticed that the bibilical paintings have been roped off from the viewers but the modern art does not. Is that a statement about the relative value of either collection?
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