Things That Aren't A Statue, Part II

(Museu Nacional de Soares dos Reis - Rua D. Manuel II, Porto)

Okay, no more museums after this post. I promise. For a while, at least. Anyway, huh... I think this was my favorite part of the visit. I like knick-knacks, and things that have actually been used, and beautiful old rooms. Besides, isn't it amazing, the kind of craftsmanship that must have gone into making, say, that golden-and-red cross, or that box, or that harp? Ugh. To put this simply, details give me feelings.

Unfortunately, I went to a flea market today and found a grand total of zero items worth bringing home. Still worth it - the weather was kind of nice (though kinda cold, for March?, I walked a lot (my internship has been turning my days into a succession of padded chairs and I hate it), my legs hurt, and I have the rest of the weekend all to myself.

Exciting hours ahead!
xx

PS - And by exciting I mean I'll probably eat and read and take naps.
PPS - Oh, and also, yes, there was a perfectly good mirror on the other side of the room, but why bother.

Things That Aren't A Statue, Part I

(Museu Nacional de Soares dos Reis - Rua D. Manuel II, Porto)

More shots from the museum, this time, the paintings. I know nothing, but I think my favorites were the third one, just that detail of the woman's arms and her sleeves, the miniature portraits (the sign said gouache on ivory? I swear they looked just like photos), and the very very last painting, with the artist working on his own portrait. It's like self-portrait within a self-portrait... we might need to go deeper.

Hover over the photos for more info, etc etc etc, and forgive the telegraphic posts, but I have a million books to read because I've decided I'm into philosophy now. You will of course excuse me. Gotta go figure out the world, one Bataille at a time.

xx

PS - That... may or may not have been a pun.

The Exile

('O Desterrado', 1872, António Soares dos Reis | Museu Nacional de Soares dos Reis - Rua D. Manuel II, Porto)

It was my birthday last week, and I chose to start it with a big breakfast and a book in bed, and end it at dinner with my parents and sister. As far as emotions go, it was a very loaded day, but the afternoon was surprisingly tame. Peaceful and neutral and quiet, just the way I like it, as I walked around a museum with my camera and looked at things as if I actually wanted to see them. I was taken aback by this statue. I'd seen it in books before and it was the main reason I actually chose this place instead of, who knows, maybe the marionette museum. I stood there staring for way too long. Long enough for someone to come check on me. But I was just so... fascinated.

I know exactly zero about art, for the record. Art movements and eras and artists pass me by. I evaluate painting by the highly scientific standard of 'would I hang it on my wall' and sculpture by the rather more pragmatic question 'how hard coult it possibly be to hammer this out of a freaking stone block', rated on a scale from 'I could do that' to 'ancient aliens'.

Well... I guess we do what we can to appreciate what we don't fully understand. Photos of the paintings shall be posted sometime soon. Right now, I really just wanted to share these little details. I can't stop staring. This one statue, I'm telling you, was worth what I paid for the ticket.

*sigh*
Have a nice weekend?
xx