[dropcap custom_class=”normal”]After a 45-minute journey, and occasionally losing my way, I arrived at Solomon R. Guggenheim museum. First mode of action was to get my picture taken with the infamous “Solomon R. Guggenheim” as a background. Check![/dropcap]
Next, the moment of truth – entering the museum and soaking in the moment, the beautiful works of art, the architecture. All of it.
Halting mid-walk I glimpse a sign from the corner of my eye; “Closed on Thursday.” Just great. Deflated, it now makes sense why people were sitting outside loitering.
Sigh. What next.
I recall seeing a museum right across the street from the Guggenheim on my way there. Rather than go all the way back home, I could substitute this for the Guggenheim visit.
With the red banner of the National Academy School of Fine Arts blowing in the wind above the entrance, I wondered why I had not come across the name before.
The National Academy School of Fine Arts, at East 89th Street New York, happens to be both a school and a museum (the museum being the National Academy Museum). The school part comprises of the artwork of the students exhibited from the reception, along the hallways, and in the sitting area. An interesting mix of artwork: paintings, sculptures, mixed media and interesting drapery.
The National Academy Museum is a corridor away, and it showcases the artwork of the alumni of the School. A metallic sculpture of a woman with one hand outstretched, and the other holding bright-colored flowers, welcomes one into the first floor of the museum. Sculptures encased in protective glass and illuminated sculptures were the main pieces on this floor.
Moving on to the other floors, the paintings had a more modern contemporary feel. Some were interpretative pieces with particular themes. It was interesting to see two interpretations of Leonardo Da Vinci’s work displayed. One of which was a parody of Da Vinci’s most famous painting, Mona Lisa. This version portrayed the Mona Lisa with a moustache. The other, Lady with an Ermine, was painted with a huge tattoo from shoulder to shoulder.
On the last floor, an eye-catching wood sculpture is positioned at the center of the room. It is a figure of a young boy in dungarees with a forlorn expression, with a face attached to his left. The face has similar facial expressions as the boy, but with closed eyes and a different hair texture.
Overall, I was glad to have stumbled across this museum. A lot of pieces really stood out. It is said, “seeing is believing”; so take a look at some of the pictures below.