Tag Archives: Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Mutts of the Masters

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Breakup of the Boating Party from Michael Patrick’s book Mutts of the Masters

When some friends gave me the 1996 book Mutts of the Masters by Michael Patrick, I thought it was just an overview of famous paintings that include dogs, such as the Phillips’s masterpiece by Renoir, Luncheon of the Boating Party. But as I flipped through the pages, the truth was exposed–Renoir’s real painting features another, much bigger dog with the title Breakup of the Boat Party.

 

 

Pas De Deux from Michael Patrick’s from Mutts of the Masters

Okay, the book is a satire (and a very amusing one at that) of historical art treasures overrun by dogs (and the occasional cat). Another Phillips masterpiece, Edgar Degas’s Dancers at the Barre, is also featured, only in this version titled Pas De Deuxa froofy French poodle dances (or otherwise conducts her business) in the lower right corner.

Luncheon of the Pumpkin Party

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Photo courtesy of Fred Talcott.

During the museum’s blowout 90th anniversary kickoff weekend this past January, I struck up conversation with a very interesting gentleman named Fred Talcott. Among other things, Mr. Talcott is part of a pumpkin carving group that has a very artistic approach to making jack’o lanterns—see the above rendition of Luncheon of the Boating Party with a Halloween theme! The pumpkin carving festival goes on through mid-day today. For more information on where to see these artsy pumpkins, visit The Holtorf Pumpkin Association’s website. Happy Halloween!

Amanda Jiron-Murphy, In-Gallery Interpretation and Public Programs Coordinator

The Artist Sees Differently: Michelle Lisa Herman

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Michelle Lisa Herman, Digital Media Manager

Photo: Michelle Lisa Herman

How did you learn about the Phillips?

Well, I guess I first learned about The Phillips Collection in high school in Fort Lauderdale, FL, at the Dillard Center for the Arts, when I took AP Art History. I was familiar with some of the works in The Phillips Collection that I would come across in my textbooks, though I didn’t get to actually visit until I started college at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore. My friends and I would make pilgrimages here as often as we could to see exhibitions at The Phillips Collection and other museums in the area.

Do you feel you are inspired by the Phillips art?

Just being surrounded by thousands of works of art is inspiring in itself, but the energy that The Phillips Collection has makes it an even more enjoyable experience as an artist.

What do you listen to as you create?

I usually would say my “Trinity”: Tori Amos, Ani DiFranco, and Björk. But lately, Björk has been taking the lead. I also listen to a good amount of indie, electronica, and foreign pop. Continue reading →