Wednesday, August 15, 2012

The Weir Family



The New Britain Museum of American Art is showing an exhibition of work by Connecticut's multigenerational Weir family of painters.  The first prominent painter in the Weir family was Robert W. Weir.  His best known painting is Embarkation of the Pilgrims, on display at the U.S. Capitol.  This exhibition had a smaller version of the same painting.

Weir's portrait showed a man with longish gray hair and a beard.  A man with longish gray hair and a beard walked past, so I asked him if he minded posing with it, to simulate looking in a time-warping mirror.

After I took the picture, I discovered my model was Bob Noreika, the water color plein air artist shown yesterday.

28 comments:

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

Nice contrast between the formality of the portrait and the informal look of today.

cieldequimper said...

I recognised him right away. You caught a bearded man looking at a (beautiful) portrait of a bearded man!

brattcat said...

how interesting that you two keep crossing paths.

Janet said...

They look a lot alike!

Unknown said...

Such a nice guy that Bob is! Yes - love the dichotomy of the old formal and the contemporary informal styles.

Kate said...

Serendipity, Jack, is always so fascinating. Did you tell him that you had already posted his photo?

Birdman said...

It's fate.

VP said...

Nice painting, I recognized the guy!

Unknown said...

Nicely done!

Lowell said...

Very funny! And kinda "weir(d)" ...
I wonder if your Lake Weir was named for this family when they came to their senses and moved to Florida? They did move to Florida, right?

Sharon said...

This is just great and very clever of you. I'm so glad he agreed to pose because it makes a perfect shot.

Malyss said...

Funny story and beautiful portraits, I like the idea of a painter looking at a painter through a painting...

Sylvia K said...

A great and funny story and what a terrific shot!! I did recognize Noreika as soon as I saw your photo and had to chuckle -- you're such a clever guy, Jack!!

RedPat said...

Works perfectly, Jack!

Lois said...

He could be looking in a mirror except for the sunglasses! What a great shot.

Dianne said...

You picked the perfect model Jack ... Bob Noreika would have a great appreciation for the works by a member of the Weir Family.

Michelle said...

A great pairing of the two!

Randy said...

I thought he looked familiar.

Bob Crowe said...

Very cool picture. It feels like there is some strong attraction between the two.

Leslie D. said...

Yeah like he's contemplating himself in a former life.

Halcyon said...

I also recognized him right away. And I love what you've done here. Great creative shot!

Unknown said...

What a clever idea! It really worked just fine. Well done, Jack.

Kay said...

Great portraits! I don't often ask people to let me shoot them. It's time to get more brave.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Somehow that just seems so 'right' Jack..they definitely have a lot in common oui!

CaT said...

how cool!!!
i once took such a pic of my bf and a painting. maybe i should post it.. :D

but i would not dare asking a stranger.

Virginia said...

Bravo Jack. You stopped a stranger and asked him to pose. The fact that he is also an artist, is icing on this cake. I love this and I think the color is just right. V
V

jennyfreckles said...

Wow, that's a great photo. So well conceived and executed.

Charlestonjoan said...

Good catch! He does look like the model.