belated birthday celebration

 The Blogmaid wanted to see the Manet and Morisot exhibit out at the Legion for her 17-day-late bday commemoration so off we went to join a few thousand other people yesterday. But first a yummy lunch down at MY cafe and some good catch-up conversation. So nice of her to drive ~ a lovely day all around and a warm memory glow this morning.

back to Tuesday

 The Manet & Morisot exhibit is very well done and already lots of art lovers are heading to the Legion of Honor and I joined them on Tuesday. Excellent. After I strolled around and oohed and ahhhed (silently) I had a fine, inexpensive burger at Bill's Place on Clement Street. Such a nice day. When you go, be sure to see the video first, or check it out online.

once more with Wayne

 Yesterday I returned solo to the Legion of Honor to see the Wayne Thiebaud exhibit before it closes soon. If possible I like to go twice as I usually miss something or I want to study a piece that I really liked the first time. I'm so glad I did this, I had a fine time and a lot to think about.

the birthday of the Blogmaid

What a nice day we had! More Mary Cassatt at the Legion of Honor and then an Asian lunch on Balboa Street. As someone pointed out, the Blogmaid seems to be aging backwards, I'm sure you agree. I celebrate this very special friend everyday, along with her husband, Bill, of course.
 

Mary Cassatt arrives

 Amy and I had a lovely couple of hours out at the Legion of Honor yesterday. The Mary Cassatt exhibit is excellent and impressive. Be sure to take time to watch the film and read all the words beside the artwork. I will return to this one for sure.

Japanese art and history

 I met Amy out at the Legion of Honor yesterday and we both thoroughly enjoyed the Japanese Prints in Transition exhibit. Incredible details and design ~ it's really a study of history and culture as the West comes to play such an important role here. The good and the bad. I urge you to see this impressive exhibit ~ through August 18.

Sandro Botticelli

 This exhibit at the Legion of Honor is mostly Botticelli's drawings and sketches, with a few colorful exceptions which I photographed to share here. The fact that all of these works from the late 1400's even exist is pretty amazing and wonderful, so for that reason alone this is well worth seeing. And of course the LOH is always such a pleasant experience.

Sargent and Spain

 Not very good photos here of this terrific exhibit out at the Legion of Honor. I picked Howard (who lives in Berkeley) up at BART and I drove us out to the end of San Francisco and introduced him to this fine old museum where I used to work. It was a beautiful sunny and clear day to see these oils and watercolors by John Singer Sargent who captured the beauty of Spain so impressively. On view through May 14 ~ go!

Pastels: Color into Line

 This exhibit at the Legion of Honor has not received a lot of publicity, but my artist friends urged me to go and I had a lovely solo walk-around yesterday. Then, of course, a latte and a sweet in the delightful museum cafe filled with ghosts and memories and good lighting. 

mouse treats

 I will forward this to Doug and Barb who are always trying to catch Harvey, their resident mouse. Or a part of Harvey's family? Back in Pompeii they used to toss the mice into this big clay urn and fatten them up with nuts and other nibbles ~ the mice would run around, not able to escape and then the Romans would BBQ them to perfection. Quite a few of my friends have mouse guests due to all the construction here in SF, but I have Annabelle and she is not to be rented out. (Error correction: NOT the final Warriors game this season, even though they lost last night. Drat.)

back to Italy

Yesterday I enjoyed my first visit to the Legion of Honor in a long time. The exhibit is a dramatic reminder of how fragile life is ~ Mt. Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD but quite a few beautiful pieces remain and they are still finding more and more in Pompeii. The top photo is mosaic tile ~ gorgeous.

we needed a break

Yesterday Ginger and I went to the Legion of Honor (with reservations, of course) and then had coffee overlooking the Bay. I've always loved this John Martin painting from 1840 ~ The Assuaging of the Waters, whatever that means. The black crow is studying the snake wrapped around the tree trunk and so I know that dreaded symbolism is involved. Do I care? No. 

slow re-openings

The Legion of Honor is now open a few days a week, but alas, no Pompeii exhibit because they couldn't get the artifacts out of Italy before the pandemic slammed us. Still, nice to wander around and remember my old life there and yes, beautiful art still remains intact. Then Neti and I had a late lunch at the Park Chalet with the new Linda-green umbrellas. They have expanded into Golden Gate Park and they were busy because we are all so ready to try to have a normal life again. Safely, of course. 

more than a touch of Tissot

Yesterday Ginger and I opened the Legion of Honor at 9:30am and that
was perfect because this exhibit just opened Friday and it will be a
busy and popular attraction, as well it should be. James Tissot was
successful as a "society artist" and the fashions are amazing. I liked
the above painting best (at this visit) because of all the intricate patterns
and colors. I will return and I urge my readers to visit ASAP.

hats off to Degas

some customers dressed for the show

my favorite piece

Yesterday Husbando and I hit the Legion of Honor for the new Degas
exhibit. It wasn't crowded and we both enjoyed all the fine artwork
and millinery displays. There were quite a few other artists shown
too, including Renoir, making it all worth seeing. I do not, however,
miss working there ~ not even for a second.

the Legion gets a re-do

The new director (Max from Germany) is bringing a little whimsy to the
staid old Legion of Honor. I like the whimsical installations and it's time
that place was shaken up a bit. When I sent these pix to a friend she
thought that I'd been to the Tate Modern. Now let's see how the donors
react to this new art...

what I won't miss

It's a magnet. Kids of ALL ages love this piano with the most annoyingly
awful sound. Usually I love the Legion of Honor because it's a little
more dignified, quieter ~ then came the red piano.

Wild West at the Legion

I just made a couple of quick run-throughs of Wild West: Plains to the
Pacific at the Legion of Honor yesterday while I was working. Yes, a
thumbs up to Obata, Moran, Scholder, Tress and Bierstadt to name a
few of the artists and photographers. An eclectic show, but well worth
your time. More than 150 paintings, prints, photographs and sculptures
~ now through September 11th.

mummy scanning

Mummies and Medicine is the title of the small exhibit at the Legion
of Honor currently. I'm not one of those who is fascinated by the
ancient Egyptians' quest for eternal life, but some are, and they seem
to appreciate the interactive virtual dissection table and the two
mummies who are now in their afterlives ~ for about 2,000 years.
That part is amazing and of course school kids love all of this.

now at the Legion of Honor

You don't want to miss this Pierre Bonnard exhibit which is on until
May 15th. There are 75 impressive works filled with color and
imagination. I saw only two rooms yesterday because Dancing Jen
arrived and it was even better having a latte with her. I'll go back
again and again to see Mr. Bonnard ~ the crowds are back!