If you live within driving distance and are able, be sure to see the Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness exhibit that is on display at the Birmingham Museum of Art from now until January 10th. It's worth the drive.
I met my oldest son and his family there Saturday. The exhibit consists of 230 paintings, drawings, photographs, furniture and silver as well as other objects reflective of American life from colonial times until the Gilded Age.
These works are on loan from the Yale University Art Gallery. In 1831, John Trumbull signed an agreement to sell twenty-eight of his paintings and sixty miniature portraits to Yale. In return, he would receive an annuity of $1000 for the rest of his life. Yale University also agreed to build a fireproof gallery to display the paintings, never take them off view and to provide a final resting place for Trumbull and his wife. If the University were ever to break any of the terms of the agreement ownership of the collection would revert to Trumbull's alma mater, Harvard. This collection formed the beginning of Yale University's Art Museum.
Included is The Declaration of Independence by John Trumbull.
Portrait of George Eliot and Family circa 1796 by Jonathan Budington.
Ezra Stiles, by Samuel King, was a prominent Newport minister and Yale professor who became the 7th president of Yale College.
George Washington by Gilbert Stuart.
Maud Cook, by Thomas Eakins.
A Game of Croquet, by Winslow Homer.
The exhibit also has interactive spot where children can dress in colonial clothing and draw their own self-portraits.
A fun and educational Saturday afternoon was had by all. Be sure to see the exhibit if you are able. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.
What a great exhibit! I wish we were close enough to take the kiddos. My daughter would especially love dressing up & drawing herself:)
ReplyDeleteThe grandchildren are adorable! I would thoroughly enjoy those paintings! Beautiful pieces too, especially that Cook woman with the pretty rose colored dress on. The detail I'd beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThis would have been my kind of place for sure. I love museums, exhibitions and art galleries. I like the fact that there is an interactive spot for children as well, it makes them more interested in history.;)
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a good time with your family.;)
what a great place for kids and for grans too it seems!
ReplyDeleteYou are making wonderful memories with your grandbabies.
ReplyDeleteThis looked to be a wonderful day out with the family. I wish I lived closer to where art is displayed. Sigh~~
ReplyDeleteThis brings back memories of taking my kidlets to similar exhibits. Looks like you had a great day. When there are activities for the kids to do, it makes it all the better. I saw the GIlbert Stuart painting about 7 years back when it was on display in either Boston or NY... memory fails me. Wonderful art!
ReplyDeleteInteresting how those paintings evolve from flat almost non-dimensional pictures to exquisitely rendered portraits ..thanks for sharing those Grands and their fabulous faces
ReplyDeleteLooks like a wonderful day! Your grandchildren are so cute. They look like they are a lot of fun!
ReplyDeletedenise
OH, I am much too far away to visit but your post certainly gave me a taste of it and I enjoyed it VERY much!
ReplyDeleteAnd, as always, the kids make it extra special...AND cute!
I wish I could se this exhibit...you know how I love history, especially early American history, and I have this thing for GW.:-)
ReplyDeletePS: Your adorable grandkids look like they had a lot of fun! It's always good when they include children in an exhibit..too often they are left out!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a fascinating exhibit! This would be a great one to attend with my son who has a degree in history and specializes in American Colonial history. You should see his library! Thomas Eakins and Winslow Homer are two of my favorite American artists. Lucky you!
ReplyDeleteLooks like fun is had by all!...What a great exhibit and fun way to put some life into history for children...
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