Insights into the Brooklyn Museum - Chris Suleski

Chris Suleski

Professor Cacoilo

Art History II

11/24/2019

The Brooklyn Museum Trip

     

     On November 16, 2019, I had the pleasure of visiting the Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Pkwy, Brooklyn, NY 11238, I saw many unique examples of artwork during my tour. I was enlightened by the abundance of artwork and I recorded the following three pieces that caught my attention.

Niagara, 1866
Louis Remy Mignot

       

     The painting of "Niagara, 1866" by Louis Mignot was the primary artwork that attracted me within the exhibit.  This piece re-surfaced the memories of my summer trip in 2009 to Niagara Falls, border of Ontario, Canada, and New York, United States with my father.  Niagara Falls is considered as one of the Natural Wonders of the World.  Approximately, 12,000 years ago the falls were formed by glaciers and it is estimated that the falls was about seven miles further down river than it is currently. I was intrigued by the Canadian view of Mignot's artwork. My father and I were unable to view the falls from the Canadian side because of passport issues. 

     I experienced the natural wonders of the falls mainly from the iconic views aboard the ship "Maid of the Mist." The boat journey took us into the heart of the most powerful waterfall in America, building mist-covered memories that will last a lifetime for me.  The tour allowed you to hear the thundering roar of over a half million gallons of water; as well as feeling the mighty rush of the mist on your face and seeing the force of the crashing waves, all breathtaking views. 

     The painting "Niagara, 1866", oil on canvas, resided unknown to the American public for over 100 years. It was "catalogued and stored in the Brooklyn Museum for over a century" (Heather) before being rediscovered and restored in the latter years of the 1990’s, and thereafter has been on display. Niagara, 1866 portrays the world famed icon from an unusual vantage point, looking towards the fall from the Canadian side. Mignot’s art is known for its colors and his technique of rendering depth and distance in his painting. Mignot modified the tone and hue of his central objects by reducing unique colors and contrasts of light and dark to a uniform light bluish-gray color, as represented in this picture. As Niagara Falls was an icon to the world, Mignot retreated to London, England and painted this image four years prior to his death, showing the world his artistic talents and worth. 

     Mignot was an American Landscape painter of Huguenot heritage, connected with the Hudson River School of Art.  His artwork reflects several of our history conversations in class, regarding his religious Calvinism beliefs to his unique style of Aerial Perspective. Magnot resided in America primarily from 1858 – 1862, during the outbreak of the American Civil War.

A Meadow in the Bourbonnais, Morning

Henri-Joseph Harpignies - 1876

     On August 23-30 of 2020, my family and I will be taking a trip to France.  This painting brought moments of excitement to me, knowing that I will be going on this vacation. I can't wait to see this gorgeous rural landscape, reflecting the farming lifestyle with cows roaming the land and women washing their clothes. I enjoyed the respective proportions of the rolling hills; as well as the artist technique of various blending, shades and tones of green. A similar view of America landscapes in the late 1800's. 

     The artist, Henri-Joseph Harpignies, painted this sizable landscape, "A Meadow in the Bourbonnais, Morning, oil on canvas" of the interior of France, the Bourbonnais region. This piece, displayed at the Salon of 1876, "depiction of the country’s beauty, bounty, and ageless traditions" (A Meadow in), showing the historical tradition of washing clothes in the local rivers with primal trees, and shadows leading to a far-off horizon. Harpignies's picture brought hope to the French after the embarrassing thrashing of the War of 1870.

     Harpignies lived until a age of 97.  He was a noted French master  landscape artist of the Barbizon school of Art, influenced by the tradition of Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, and inspired by Rome, using the rich Italian landscapes views in his masterpieces. Harpignies was influenced by several Art periods that we spoke of in class, Realism and Impressionism.  However, his intentions was to challenge the public to recognize and appreciate  his landscape paintings as equal to the past and present art. He began his painting at the age of 27 and primarily painted between the years of 1846 until his death in 1916.

Mummy and Cartonnage of Hor

798 B.C.E.-558 B.C.E.

      
     Upon entering the Mummy Chamber on the third floor at the museum, I was attracted to the exhibit of Hor and his Cartonnage. Immediately, I was reminded of my trip to the Vatican, Rome, Italy in the Summer of 2018 upon which I saw the mummification of Pope John XX111 on display under St. Peter’s Basilica. I was amazed to see the condition of the Pope’s body after 56 years after his death.  It looked like he died yesterday. So be the mummification process.

     The Egyptians believed that it was necessary to prepare a human body by means of  Mummification so that the individual’s spirit would be prepared for afterlife, with the cartonnage aiding in the changeover to the afterlife.  The mummy is decorated with figures of various gods that protect and facilitate the individual into the afterlife, each having a particular function. Typically, the pharaohs of Egypt were mummified and buried in elegant tombs; as well as the nobility. The Cartonnage of Hor is a colorful and beautiful piece of artwork. 

     As studied in class, the Egyptians believed in gods, eternal life and the rebirth of the soul. This exhibit exemplifies that concept. Religion was in important cultural practice that bound all Egyptians together, believing in the principles of Egyptian creed. "About 2600 B.C., during the Fourth and Fifth Dynasties, Egyptians probably began to mummify the dead intentionally. The practice continued and developed for well over 2,000 years, into the Roman Period (ca. 30 B.C.–A.D. 364)" (Smithsonian).

 Works Cited

Heather. “‘Niagara’ by Louis Rémy Mignot.” Daily Dose of Art, Heather, 7 Aug. 2019,
     https://www.myddoa.com/niagara-louis-remy-mignot/.

Meadow in the Bourbonnais, Morning (Une Prairie Du Bourbonnais, Par Un Effet De Matin). 
     Brooklyn Museum, https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencollection/objects/4774.

Smithsonian Institution. “Egyptian Mummies.” Smithsonian Institution,
     Smithsonian Institution,  https://www.si.edu/spotlight/ancient-egypt/mummies.