July 3, 2018

New Britain Museum of Art

Clydesdale Stallion
Circa 1930
Bronze
John Held, Jr. (1889-1958)
 The New Britain Museum of American Art is a local art museum, which I've attended on a few occasions. Twice to celebrate my daughter's artwork being exhibited as part of the school's presentations and once for a friend's wedding. There is a wide variety of American art on display, but two of my favorite pieces are this bronze Clydesdale sculpture and the following oil painting. I love how the mass of a draft horse still manages to look agile in the pose chosen by the artist.

Detail of Clydesdale Stallion

Le Jour du Grand Prix
(On the Day of the Grand Prix)
1887
Oil on Canvas
Frederick Childe Hassam (1859-1935)
There is a lot to love about this painting, but what drew me to it is the horse in the front. It really appears to be a perlino or some sort of double dilute. Given that this was painted in 1887, I find it fascinating to find this color presented. From a composition stand-point, I appreciate the light color to help the eye move through the painting, but I would have assumed it to be a faded grey. However on closer inspection, I do think it's a perlino!

Detail of Le Jour du Grand Prix