The Philadelphia Museum of Art
The Philadelphia Museum of Art
There’s nothing more satisfying than spending a rainy afternoon grazing at a great museum. The Philadelphia Museum of Art is certainly the perfect place to do it. Its exhibits are varied, easily spanning two millennia. The Museum also includes the off-site Rodin Museum just down the road on Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
For most people, history begins on the day they were born. Many have only a limited appreciation of antiquity. But virtually all of us have watched Sylvester Stallone in the ‘Rocky’ movies on TV. These are the very steps where the fictional Rocky Balboa flexed his famous muscles.
On a clear day you can see William Penn perched atop City Hall from there. On hot days the several fountains and reflecting pools serve as mirages – illusions of cooling. On rainy days, every one of these is entirely superfluous.
There’s feeling you get on entering this great building based on grand ‘Greek Revival’ design. It’s like entering a cathedral, a special place that is truly worthy of the 225,000 priceless (often sacred) objects displayed here.
Each year the Museum puts on a dozen or more special exhibitions that draw close to a million people. Two of the most notable ones in recent years, that attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors from every state and from around the world, were shows featuring the works of Paul Cézanne and Salvador Dalí. Google philamuseum.org for directions and information about current and upcoming events. February 24th thru April 25th 2010 will feature a retrospective of works by Pablo Picasso.
Back in the 18th century, Philadelphia was one of the most important cities in North America and a center of style and culture. The Philadelphia Museum of Art is particularly known for its extensive collections of early Pennsylvania Dutch art: quilts; 18th and 19th-century furniture; and silver brought to life by local and Pennsylvania craftsmen. The Museum also houses the works by prominent Philadelphia artist Thomas Eakins (1844–1916), said to be America’s greatest, most uncompromising realist who dedicated his career to depicting the human figure, in oil, watercolor and photography as well as sculpture.
I didn’t know any of this when I went to visit the Museum for the first time a couple of years ago. We wouldn’t have gone if we hadn’t had a friend living in the city. “What with New York City so close, who needs Philadelphia?” likely expresses the sentiments of many New Yorkers and tri-state suburbanites.
They would be mistaken. Philadelphia’s story is inexorably linked to the founding of our nation. It is the home of Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell – all this and more is lovingly administered by the history buffs who often volunteer their time as guides to the National Parks Service. It is inspiring to see their enthusiasm, and dedication to maintaining the oral tradition revolving around the events that marked America’s birth. Since you’ve already driven down (or up) there, there’s historic Valley Forge only a stone’s throw away.
Philly is modern too. It has the most compelling skyscraper (Cira Center) I’ve ever seen.
And don’t dare leave without having tasted a Philly Cheese Steak sandwich on Market Street. Depending on the season, there’s always the high drama of the Phillies or the Eagles to ponder. For shopping, try the malls out at King of Prussia.
Peter Koelliker; pkoelliker8@yahoo.com
Philadelphia Art Museum photo attachment# 1:
1. Triangles
2. Rocky
3. Toes