Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Glass Decanter at the MET

Acrylic on gessoed hardboard, 14 x 11"
painting #218, 2013


While my previous painting was inspired by a tumbler from the Museum of Modern Art Store, this one is from the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

During the final day of our escape week-end in New York City this past February, my wife and I had the immense pleasure of meeting Hyperrealist painter Cesar Santander who kindly gave us a quick tour of the highlights of the Met. We then parted ways by noon time and made our way to the American Wing Café for lunch before heading back to the airport.  The American Wing features the Charles Englehard Court, a grand multi-level atrium flooded with natural lighting which showcases sculptures, architectural elements, stained glass and art glass. The ground floor has amazing Tiffany stained glass murals.

The previous month, I had acquired an original Louis Comfort Tiffany Favrile glass vase for my own collection and was able to find similar pieces in an adjoining room which houses decorative art.

The decanter and glasses featured in my painting are attributed to Jersey Glass Company of George Dummer (1824-1862) and can be found in the upper level of the atrium. It was displayed behind glass, but my SLR camera was able to focus properly on the vessel and eliminated any kind of glare. I took the photo as a vacation snapshot, but when I saw the image of my PC screen, it had all the elements for an elaborate glass study. It is one of the most intricate imagery that I have painted thus far.

This painting is currently on exhibition in the Walking in a Winter Wonderland group show at the Fog Forest Gallery. 

To acquire this painting, please contact the 
Fog Forest Gallery 
14 Bridge Street, Sackville, NB. Canada
(506) 536-9000 or e-mail-gallery@nbnet.nb.ca .

-SOLD