MFA’s latest show rocked my world
Apr 27th, 2008 by Rosemary
I love art — and a good show at the MFA. The museum’s current major exhibition, “El Greco to Velazquez” is no exception.
I thought I was familiar with El Greco’s work before I headed to the Boston museum. When I got there I realized I had no clue. While I was familiar with his portraits, I had no idea about his other work — or the depth of his genius.
In person the canvases seemed luminous. His style, it was so modern (surprising for someone more than 400 years old). It was expressionistic — it’s no wonder while the Impressionists and even Picasso turned to him for inspiration.
I was especially interested in “View of Toldeo” (left) — it was sort of personal map of El Greco’s adopted hometown. He showed the city not as it was, but as he wanted it to be — his favorite buildings together in a way that didn’t exist in reality.
The other “bookend” of the show was Velazquez.
He’s long be a favorite of mine — and unfortunately, my favorite work of his, “Las Meninas” (right), was not in the show.
However, I contented my checking out his early work, some of which he painted while still a teenager. It shows the development of his style, as well as his talent.
In between the work of these two masters, were the paintings of lesser known Spanish painters. I confess, I hadn’t heard of most of them. I’m glad I saw them — their work was gorgeous, interesting. Some of the pieces had a photorealism to them — I can’t imagine the skill and discipline it takes to create that.
I definitely recommend this show to anyone interest in art — or just an interesting evening.
Here are the details:
If you go
What: “El Greco to Velazquez: Art during the Reign of Philip III”
When: Through July 27
Where: Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston
How: By ticket only for a reserved date and time of entry at half-hour intervals, which includes general admission and a return to the museum within 10 days. Reservations recommended. Available at the box office, www.mfa.org, or by calling 800-440-6975.
Cost: Free for members, $23 for adults, $21 seniors and students, $6 university members, $7.50 for children ages 7 to 17 and free for children under 7.
Audio guides: Available in English and Spanish, $6 for adults, $5 for members and $4 for children (17 and under).
Hours: Open seven days a week. Saturday through Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.; Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 9:45 p.m.
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