Author: JWF

Manhattan Viewing: Sargent & The Austens

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If you need a distraction from the political scene this holiday weekend, here is an art exhibit to enjoy vicariously and a fun drama series to binge on. Happy Memorial Day—may the good times return!

PORTRAITS AND MORE: JOHN SINGER SARGENT

Sargent and Paris (Metropolitan Museum of Art)

Madame X by Sargent, 1883-84

John Singer Sargent (1856-1925) was an American painter who grew up mostly in Europe.  He is probably best known for his daring portrait, Madame X.  Depicting an elegant woman in an almost strapless gown, it was considered scandalous when first shown in Paris.  Consequently, Sargent had to re-build his reputation before being fully accepted again for commissioned portraits.

The exhibit, Singer and Paris, is rich and wonderful in its expansive coverage of Sargent’s early career.  I knew Sargent had painted society women but was unaware of his early works based on travels to France, Italy, Spain, and Morocco. There are outdoor scenes, intimate interior ones, and family groupings. 

Wineglasses, ca.1875
Venetian Interior, ca.1880-82
Le Verre de Porto), 1884

And there are portraits of artist friends and colleagues both men and women.  I was particularly struck by his arresting portrait of the surgeon Dr. Ponzi and the delicacy of the tented woman inhaling the smoke of ambergris.

Detail, Fumee d’Ambre Gris, 1880
Dr. Ponzi at Home, 1881
(Mrs. Henry White) 1883

Later, after he painted Margaret Stuyvesant Rutherford White, the wife of an American diplomat, high society began to seek him out for their portraits. He also painted this stunning portrait of Carmen Dauset Moreno, a Flamenco dancer, as a show piece.

La Carmencita, ca.1890

The exhibit was both popular and crowded, even though we arrived at the opening hour.  I recommend it highly and could easily return for a second look! On view through August. 3.

AUSTEN SISTER: CASSANDRA AND THE LETTERS

Miss Austen (PBS Masterpiece)

Isabella and Cassandra with others (bbc.com)

I binge watched this series (4 episodes) over two days.  And really enjoyed it!  I’m a diehard Jane Austen fan.  I’ve read her books, seen various productions of her works, and briefly was a member of the local chapter of the Jane Austen Society of North America.  

This series is based on a novel by Gill Hornby, a writer I didn’t know, and focuses on Jane’s elder sister Cassandra (the Miss Austen of the title) and her efforts to safeguard Jane’s reputation.  It is not fast paced, but engrossing. When Cassie’s sister-in-law’s father dies, years after Jane’s death, she shows up at the Fowles’ home to offer her support and assistance.  Surviving daughter Isabella, who lived with her father, will have to move elsewhere to accommodate the new vicar. Cassie is concerned for Isabella’s future but has an ulterior motive.  She is seeking letters that Jane wrote to Isabella’s mother Eliza.  (In truth, Cassandra was responsible for burning some of Jane Austen’s personal letters.)

In Cassie’s searching and reflecting, there are flashbacks to their upbringing, Jane’s writing, her own brief romance, and the complex dynamics of the large extended Austen family.  Some in-laws are more tolerable than others, and some family members are more concerned with their social standing.  Overall, it’s a series about love—romantic love, married love, and the very strong sibling bond between Cassie and Jane.  Each sister largely felt she could not survive without the love and support of the other.  

Keeley Hawes is marvelous as Cassandra and Rose Leslie excellent as Isabella. There are also familiar faces from Downton Abbey.  Recommended, especially for Jane Austen fans!

Note: Photos from the exhibit by JWFarrington. Header photo is Sargent’s The Daughters of Edward Darley Boit, 1882.

Manhattan: Portraits in Art, Literature, Film

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ART: PORTRAITS OF AMERICANS

Amy Sherald American Sublime (Whitney Museum of American Art)

First Lady Michelle Obama

Amy Sherald is an American portrait painter whose works feature mostly Black individuals.  She is probably best known for her portrait of First Lady Michelle Obama, hung on a wall by itself.  The exhibit is large and encompasses early works from 2007 to very recent ones.  Many of the portraits are of ordinary people, and almost all of them are single individuals standing upright against a solid deep colored background.  Some are holding objects, such as a rabbit in a hat, which take them out of strict reality into a sort of dream world.  

Early portrait of an individual
The Bathers, 2015

Sherald’s latest works seem more political with a sharper focus on racism and gender issues.  I was especially drawn to these recent pieces.  The riff on the Statue of Liberty forces one to look again closely at the title and the work itself.

Trans Forming Liberty, 2024

For Love and For Country takes the famous kiss in Times Square (Eisenstadt photo, 1945) as inspiration for a different depiction of love and service.

For Love, and for Country, 2022

This year is the 10th anniversary of the Whitney Museum’s wonderful Renzo Piano building located in the Meatpacking District. (The Chief Penguin and I had the chance to tour the building with one of Renzo’s architects shortly before it opened.) To celebrate its location overlooking the Hudson River, check out Mary Heilmann’s Long Life mural and the funky colorful chairs for absorbing the view.

Mural, chairs & view

 

LITERATURE: EARLY FEMINIST

The Solitary Walker: A Novel of Mary Wollstonecraft by N. J. Mastro

In the late 18th century, Mary Wollstonecraft boldly challenged the traditional view of women’s place in society. Mentored and encouraged by publisher Joseph Johnson, she wrote reviews for his publications and penned A Vindication of the Rights of Women, the first of her works to argue that women were not naturally inferior to men. 

Mastro’s debut novel, A Solitary Walker, follows Wollstonecraft’s writing career in London, her time in Paris covering the French Revolution, and her solo journey to Scandinavia to untangle lover Gilbert Imlay’s shipping affairs.  Until her 30’s, Wollstonecraft vowed never to marry. The product of an abusive home, she guarded her heart against love and romance.  

This is a rich and very engaging novel which brings Mary Wollstonecraft to life as she cherishes her independence, but ultimately realizes she too needs love to sustain her.  Recommended for fans of historical fiction! It is worth noting that Wollstonecraft’s daughter, Mary Shelley, was also famous; she wrote Frankenstein, a novel that has inspired numerous plays and movies.

FILM: FEARLESS PUBLISHER

Becoming Katharine Graham (Prime Video)

Katharine Graham (washingtonpost.com)

If you lived through the 1960’s and 70’s, you likely know Washington Post publisher Katharine Graham’s story. Perhaps you have also read her forthright and moving autobiography, Personal History.  Even so, this new documentary, Becoming Katharine Graham, is so compelling and timely, that I highly recommend it.

Katharine Graham’s father bought the Washington Post in the 1930’s, and it was a part of her life from childhood onward.  When in 1963, her husband Phil Graham, then publisher, committed suicide, she took on the role.  Graham was a mother and a deferential wife (or her word, “a doormat.”) The job of publisher pushed her into the forefront.  She was the first American woman to hold this kind of position, and she served with an all-male board.

Throughout her 28 years as publisher, Kay Graham was challenged and determined and even fearless.   She faced tough decisions regarding the Pentagon Papers and how the Post should cover the Watergate scandal.  Her transformation into a female dynamo is documented with archival footage and interviews with the likes of Warren Buffet, Gloria Steinem, Carl Bernstein, and others.  The film runs for 90 minutes.

Note: All unattributed photos by JWFarrington. Header photo is exterior of Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center.

Manhattan Moments: Textiles, Film, & Food

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TEXTILES AS ART

Woven Histories: Textiles and Modern Abstraction (MoMA)

Weaving by Stolzl, 1928

We headed to the Museum of Modern Art specifically to see a members’ preview of some delicate flower paintings.  That exhibit was unexpectedly closed, so we opted for the textile and fabric exhibit I had also noted.  Featuring 150 pieces, this exhibit spans creative works from the early 20th century to the present from Europe and around the world. It focuses on textiles or fabric as art, not just craft.

“Torcik (Cake)”, postcard of handwoven sweater by Otowska, 2010

 I was also drawn to some of the wall hangings and the various weaving techniques.

Detail of Anni Albers’ weaving
Cojin I-IV, Teresa Lanceta, 1999
“Fishnet” R. Wilson, 2011

VIEWING: WEST BANK DESTRUCTION

No Other Land (streaming available)

Winner of this year’s Academy Award for Best Documentary, No Other Land, is a graphic and personal account of the ongoing destruction and demolition of West Bank villages by Israeli soldiers from 2019-2023.  The West Bank on the Jordan River is one of two territories that comprise Palestine.  Filmed and told mainly from the perspective of Palestinian activist Basel Adra and Israeli journalist Yuval, it is heartrending, upsetting, and powerful.  

Over decades, Israeli soldiers have routinely targeted these mountainous villages (Masafer Yatta), bulldozing homes and a new school, threatening residents, and shooting at those who get in the way.  Residents are essentially captive in their villages; they need special permits to enter Israel and often don’t own cars, also subject to restrictions.  Basel Adra’s daring in shooting these scenes live is admirable, while the watching the tentative relationship between Basel and Yuval develop into a genuine friendship is heartening.  Highly recommended! 

DINING: YET ANOTHER ITALIAN RESTAURANT?

Il Gradino (Lexington near 62nd)

I’ll Gradino interior

While out walking, we happened on Il Gradino and decided to check it out.  The reviews were very good and so we booked.   It’s a small space with white tablecloths and polished service.  We began with two tempting specials, fried stuffed zucchini blossoms for me and artichokes Jewish style for the Chief Penguin.

Chicken cutlet

For entrees, I had a lovely chicken cutlet saltimbocca style with asparagus spears topping the prosciutto and cheese, while the CP enjoyed a large bowl of linguini cacio e pepe (cheese and pepper.)  It was a lovely meal with some different Italian dishes.  Another addition for our list of favorites!

Note: All photos ©JWFarrington (some rights reserved.) Header photo is a detail from “Shape-Up” (1976-77) by Alan Shields.

Manhattan Moments: Art, Books, Food

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FABULOUS FRICK!

Expanse of Frick courtyard

Frick, The Man & The Mansion

Many visitors to Manhattan are familiar with the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, better known as MoMA, and also the Whitney Museum of American Art.  But not everyone knows the Frick Collection. It took us longer to discover this stately mansion and its art, but once we did, we became fans.

Henry Clay Frick was a 19th century financier and industrialist involved in the early years of the steel industry in Pennsylvania.  Andrew Carnegie was an occasional business partner, and he and Andrew Mellon became close friends.  Frick was also a serious art collector.  When in 1913, his business interests extended to New York, he built the lovely mansion at East 70th Street.  Today, the Frick is considered one of the finest collections of European art in the United States.

New Renovated Frick

Closed for almost five years for a major renovation and expansion, the Frick re-opened last month.  For the first time, the family’s second floor is open to the public.  These small rooms are now galleries showcasing more art, and a narrow corridor is lovely with walls and floor clad in pink marble.  A majestic green marble staircase was added to the building to provide a smooth flow of visitors from the upper floor down to the new shop and café level, and then on down to the main floor.

On the main level, we re-visited some favorite works.   Holbein’s paintings of Sir Thomas More on one side of the fireplace and Thomas Cromwell on the other, plus the looming Fragonard series, The Progress of Love, on the drawing room walls.  Lastly, we checked out the beautiful courtyard with its central fountain, the only area in which photos are permitted.

Frick courtyard fountain

The Frick was very crowded given the pent-up anticipation for its re-opening but is still a gem.  We look forward to returning at a quieter time.

ON THE PAGE:  COOKING BUSINESS

Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten

Garten (nytimes.com)

I own several of Ina Garten’s cookbooks.  I’ve also recently watched her on Facebook videos preparing chicken or fish.  One might think, given her wild success, that Garten’s life was always easy-peasy and comfortable.  Not so.  Garten held a series of often boring jobs after college.  She finally found her calling when she purchased her first Barefoot Countess store in Westhampton, Long Island.  Then she opened a second store.  Needing yet another challenge some years later, Garten tried her hand at writing a cookbook and later hosted her own TV show.

Garten’s style is bracing, frank, and even effervescent.  Her childhood was a difficult one, with parents who were controlling and emotionally abusive. She easily made friends at school, but her self-esteem suffered.  Fortunately, she met and married Jeffrey whose calm approach and supportive stance enabled her to take risks and buy the first store.  Impulsive and creative, Garten made mistakes along the way, some unwise investments and trusting her staff too much.  Throughout it all, she was determined and viewed obstacles as challenges to be overcome.

At times, her statements that she and Jeffrey didn’t have the necessary resources ring hollow against the backdrop of highly placed friends ready to recommend contractors and the ease with which they purchased expensive real estate.  Nonetheless, I found this an enjoyable fast-paced account of how to create your own success.  Recommended for Garten fans and food lovers! (~JWFarrington)

DINING FIND

Bayon (Upper East Side)

Bayon interior

Bayon is a new Cambodian restaurant on E. 64th Street just off 1st Avenue.  Ten years ago, the Chief Penguin and I spent a few days in Cambodia in Siem Reap visiting Angkor Wat. We enjoyed the food there, culinarily a cross between Thai and Chinese, but had never eaten in a Cambodian restaurant in the U.S.

We were pleased and delighted with Bayon. The space is attractive with highly polished wood tables and comfortable chairs with saffron-colored seats.  The wait staff were welcoming and helpful in their suggestions.  We started with some spicy fried fish cakes and cumin lamb dumplings, the latter beautifully presented on a glass snail plate. Both appetizers were delicious.  

Lamb dumplings

We then shared the basil rice stir fry with chicken and sampled a traditional rice corn pudding with coconut milk for dessert.  

Rice corn pudding

We zipped up the stir fry with some chili sauce, and the Chief Penguin enthusiastically tucked into the pudding.  Bayon is now on our list of preferred restaurants, and we hope to return soon.

Note: All unattributed photos ©JWFarrington (some rights reserved.). Header photo is of twisted cone sculptures on Park Avenue by Alma Alan.