Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Great Hall


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.




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27 comments:

  1. Cezar and LéiaMarch 14, 2012 at 6:23 AM

    A beautiful hall and I would love visiting the exhibitions there!
    Léia

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  2. MoMarch 14, 2012 at 6:46 AM

    Very grand

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  3. brattcatMarch 14, 2012 at 7:26 AM

    i'm with you, jack.

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  4. DianneMarch 14, 2012 at 7:43 AM

    I love the deep red walls Jack ... A wonderful backdrop for those superb pieces of art ....what a pity they changed it..

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  5. VPMarch 14, 2012 at 8:12 AM

    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.

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  6. UnknownMarch 14, 2012 at 8:22 AM

    I like it now, but I do hope they have the Biblical paintings showing somewhere.

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  7. MalyssMarch 14, 2012 at 8:34 AM

    I must say that I prefer the old red hall..Much more impressive, and I also prefer the biblical paintings.

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  8. Luis GomezMarch 14, 2012 at 8:49 AM

    Looks very nice Jack!

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  9. LaurrieMarch 14, 2012 at 9:05 AM

    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!

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  10. SusieMarch 14, 2012 at 9:07 AM

    I remember being scared of a painting of a guy's head on a plate. Was it biblical, or just European history? ;)

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    1. JackMarch 14, 2012 at 10:16 AM

      I am pretty sure it was a biblical painting. When I find time, I might put my googling skills to work on identifying it.

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  11. LowellMarch 14, 2012 at 9:16 AM

    Oh my! The restoration is far superior!

    And that's the truth from the Old Howling Bastard! Very funny comment, you rascal, you!

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  12. RandyMarch 14, 2012 at 9:24 AM

    What a great room.

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  13. SharonMarch 14, 2012 at 9:30 AM

    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.

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  14. Sylvia KMarch 14, 2012 at 9:59 AM

    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

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  15. PerthDailyPhotoMarch 14, 2012 at 12:08 PM

    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!

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  16. RedPatMarch 14, 2012 at 12:34 PM

    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.

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  17. cieldequimperMarch 14, 2012 at 2:32 PM

    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.

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  18. jooMarch 14, 2012 at 3:01 PM

    I love both.The 'new' version looks so clean and airy!

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  19. UnknownMarch 14, 2012 at 3:35 PM

    I like both versions but I think a light coloured wall is better for colourful modern art.

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  20. EG CameraGirlMarch 14, 2012 at 3:40 PM

    Both versions work for me though I do prefer the reno.

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  21. HalcyonMarch 14, 2012 at 5:17 PM

    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.

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  22. Regina KMarch 14, 2012 at 5:53 PM

    I like it better with grey walls shows off that beautiful ceiling.

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  23. SRQMarch 14, 2012 at 6:34 PM

    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).

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  24. TashMarch 14, 2012 at 11:08 PM

    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.

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  25. NathalieMarch 15, 2012 at 3:28 AM

    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!

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  26. KateMarch 15, 2012 at 8:59 AM

    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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