Galleries & Museums

More on Rembrandt, like where to see one…

: Artists, Galleries & Museums : Written by Troy Broussard : 09-20-2014

Portrait of a Young Woman by Rembrandt van Rijn, Museum of Fine Arts Houston, photo Google Art Project (public domain)

It is not an easy feat to eyeball an original Rembrandt. (Recommended reading: Troysart “And then to Rembrandt’s House” September 18, 2014.) Oil paintings by Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (1606-1669) are so rare that only the best museums count one amongst the permanent collection. For decades (since 1977) the only Rembrandt painting that I know of on public display in Texas was housed at the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth. “Bust of a Young Jew” 1663, oil on canvas, is considered a character study rather than a portrait commissioned by an individual. The artist captures the sitter in a …continue reading

And then to Rembrandt’s House

: Artists, Destinations, Galleries & Museums : Written by Troy Broussard : 09-18-2014

Rembrandt Harmeszoon van Rijn self-portrait, National Gallery, UK

I was so grateful to make it back to my hotel suite in Amsterdam after the journey to the Otterlo. (Recommended background: TroysArt “That trip to the Kroller-Muller Museum”, September 17, 2014.) I crawled into bed and thought I was dying. Thankfully my impending death was not holding travelling companion Michael Anderson (aka Manderson) back from exploring the nightlife for which Amsterdam is famous. The next morning Manderson was packing a bag. “I’m headed to The Hague,” he announced with boundless enthusiasm. “Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring is at Mauritshuis. Sure you don’t want to go?” I begged to die …continue reading

That trip to the Kroller-Muller Museum

: Destinations, Galleries & Museums : Written by Troy Broussard : 09-17-2014

The Clown by Auguste Renoir, 1868, Kroller-Muller Museum

A few years back while touring the Netherlands with fellow artist Michael Anderson (aka Manderson) he suggested that we visit the Kroller-Muller Museum. I had never heard of it, but I’ve never turned down a museum. The Kroller-Muller is located near Otterlo in the middle of the National Park de Hoge Veluwe, a 5,500 hectare area created in the last Ice Age with alternating woodlands, prairie, and sand dunes. Crazy rich Helene Kroller-Muller was one of the first major collectors to recognize Vincent van Gogh’s genius. In 1909 her husband Anton Kroller created the park and in 1935 she donated …continue reading

Galveston’s Rosenberg Library Museum

: Destinations, Galleries & Museums : Written by Troy Broussard : 08-23-2014

The Rosenberg Library, Galveston, a TroysArt photo

It’s no secret that Galveston Island is rich in history. The best known cultural attractions are without a doubt architectural—such as The Bishop’s Palace. And for connoisseurs of fine art there is a multitude of art galleries downtown. But I must admit that I had no idea that there is actually fine art available for viewing in a museum setting. The Rosenberg Library isn’t just a repository for books. Born in Switzerland, Henry Rosenberg immigrated to Galveston in the 1840s and got crazy rich. When he died in 1893 he left almost a million dollars to charity, including $400,000 to …continue reading