Nydia, the Blind Flower Girl of Pompeii

This marble sculpture in the New Britain Museum of American Art depicts a girl blinded by the eruption of Vesuvius.  The sculptor was Randolph John Rogers, a mid-19th century American sculptor working in Italy.

On an autumn visit, Nydia stood out because of the bright red modern work behind her.  That is Louise Sloane's The Mighty Quinn.

On my December visit, she was in front of Hell is for awesome! by Stephen St. Francis Decky.  Nydia was, once again, alluring.

Security Guard

While waiting at the admission desk at the New Britain Museum of American Art, I kept looking out of the corner of my eye at the security guard stationed near the entrance to the gallery space.  There was something about him.  He . . . didn't . . . move.

Security Guard is a 2006 sculpture by Marc Sijan.  When I saw that name, I remembered that I had posted a photograph of some of Sijan's super-realistic works at a Florida outdoor art show about two years ago.  Here is a link.  (The black and white stripes are a 2005 work by Sol Lewitt, whose works you have seen here multiple times before.)

. . . and Boots and Bags

 

Hartford Denim Company also makes leather bags and leather boots.

If you have some free time, are interested in hand craftsmanship, and want to learn more, click here to see Hartford Denim Company's fascinating website.

Good luck, guys!

More Denim

One of Hartford Denim Company's marketing strategies is to offer repairs to the jeans they sell, for the lifetime of the buyer.  That tells buyers that the people who made their jeans have a lot of confidence about the kind of materials they used and how rugged the jeans are.

Hartford Denim Company

Three young guys in their twenties like working with their hands. They rented space in a historic factory in Hartford, bought up some vintage sewing machines and started manufacturing handmade jeans.  They have been a success in the high end clothing markets where original hand work and sustainable techniques are prized.  Hartford Denim jeans are found in Timberland stores and some other boutiques and stores, as well as online.

 

Contrasts

 I like the seam between the exhibition of French paintings and sculptures and the main part of the Wadsworth Atheneum, but some might think it is jarring.  The exhibition is in a series of decorous galleries painted a somber light blue.  But, looking through the door to the galleries' entrance, we see another dazzling Sol Lewitt mural, the formal marble bust of an esteemed citizen whose name and sculptor I was not able to find, and elaborate railings.  The Lewitt mural is Wall Drawing #1131, Whirls and Twirls (2004).

Salon Style

Back to the Wadsworth Atheneum's exhibition of its French artwork.

In 19th century Paris and London, annual salons displayed their best works in a densely packed, multi-tier format.

The format was also adopted by the wealthy citizens of Hartford.  Elizabeth Hart Jarvis Colt -- wife of arms merchant Samuel Colt -- was a big collector and displayed her collection salon style at her mansion, Armsmear, less than a mile from the Wadsworth Atheneum.  After she died, Mrs. Colt gave her collection to the museum, and many works she once owned are shown here in the museum's exhibition of its French paintings.