Best Paintings at Philadelphia Museum of Art

Linda Brandon · 07-11-2003, 11:10 PM

I'll be in Philadelphia for a couple of days this month. I'd love to hear about anyone's favorite paintings at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Michele Rushworth · 07-11-2003, 11:38 PM

They have quite a nice collection of paintings by Thomas Eakins, whose paintings of rowers I really like.

Jimmie Arroyo · 07-12-2003, 12:19 AM

I don't know if it is still part of the collection, or maybe it was part of a exhibition, but I've only visited once 12 years ago and this painting by Frederic Leighton was the only one that I remember really enjoying. When I found this pic online, it said it was in a private collection, so excuse me if it is no longer in the museum.

Mari DeRuntz · 07-12-2003, 12:50 AM

Working just to the left of me at Mims' Studio is a painter who hails from Philly. I'll pick his brain tomorrow and post his response.

Tom Edgerton · 07-12-2003, 10:17 AM

Linda--

There are two I would recommend, though the Philadelphia Museum is a fabulous place, and there are many.

One is "The Moorish Chief", by Eduard Charlemont. It's totally sumptuous.

The other is an "Annunciation" by Henry Ossawa Tanner, that stands all of the conventions around showing Mary and the Angel on their heads. Totally innovative, and powerfully moving.

Both of these are poor reproductions--sorry.

You'll love it there.

Best-TE

Tom Edgerton · 07-12-2003, 10:19 AM

And the Tanner...

Jim Riley · 07-14-2003, 08:35 PM

Linda,

I hope you won't miss the excellent Raeburn paintings. I don't have the title for painting attached and regret the poor quality of the shot(The museum would not allow a tripod).

Michele Rushworth · 07-14-2003, 09:46 PM

Jim, it seems as if you and I share a great appreciation for Raeburn's work. If you end up ordering either of those books or if you know where there is more information or reproductions of his work I'd love to know about it. There's a freshness in his portraits that I don't see too often.

Linda Brandon · 08-15-2003, 11:38 AM

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is one of those marvelous places with a surprise around every corner. I was supremely happy wandering around there.

Jim and Michele, there is an entire room devoted to Raeburn's works (I think it's room 216 but I'm not sure). The paintings aren't very well lit and were in some cases hung too high to really get a good look at them. Nevertheless it was an enormous thrill to stand in that room for, oh, a good half hour or so. (I was the only one in the room.) By the way, I counted at least 6 Raeburns at the Met in New York (and at least one at the Frick). Why are there NO books on Raeburn in any of these Museum gift shops?

Tom, I saw both the paintings you posted and they were beautiful. The Tanner painting was so honest and haunting - a completely original version of an often-portrayed event. The only problem for me was that it's hung right across from that huge Eakins operating room painting. Hard to tell which way to turn.

Jimmie, I also admire Lord Leighton but I couldn't find your posted painting in the museum. The only Leighton original I've ever seen in the U.S. was in San Francisco, I think ("Flaming June").

Tom Edgerton · 08-15-2003, 01:31 PM

Linda--

Glad you got to go--it's a GREAT museum.

Best--TE