UMMA Art Pick: Comments 10

Aaron Dworkin
Violinist and founder of the Sphinx Organization, which encourages the participation of Blacks and Latinos in classical music

This Bouguereau piece entitled Charity stood out to me even amongst some of the amazing new works in the museum's collection. While not knowing the formal title to the work, when I first gazed upon it, there was something about the manner in which it spoke to me that resonated with my work, which happens to be in the non-profit and philanthropic (charitable) world.

I also have a 21 month old and am probably at a time in my life when infants and their imagery connect with me and my sense of my youngest son, Amani. I found myself studying the way in which the twins are intertwined which I found reminiscent of the Ying-Yang symbol. I also found the use of shadows in the painting quite powerful bringing not only aspects of the infants’ comfort with their mother, but also, dividing her face casting half in shadow.

I found Bouguereau sharing some of the burgeoning personalities of the infants by his use of their positions and relationship with their mother where the one of the left is requiring the comfort, warmth and closeness of his giver of life, while the one on the right already appears more independent of will and spirit, turned out facing the world yet still supported by his mother. Her gaze down upon the one more independent also spoke to me of the mother’s care while her children drape from her body almost like her clothing, as if they clothe her.

Overall, I found this to be a powerful work that I simply could stand and look at for hours, not only seeing more intricacies of the craft and excellence of Bouguereau, but also just comforted by the sense of “charity” that seems to envelop me when I am in its presence.

jhanks

This is my favorite of the choices, but my real favorite was the wooden "Stones in the River" (I think) sculpture. Wow.

Pat Davis Indianapolis, IN

Karen Frye Ypsilanti, MI

The painting is a true example of wonderful draftmanship and classical art standards. A pure gem for classical artists.

Erika Ann Arbor, MI

Raymond M. Williams Southfield/Michigan

Natalie Siciliano Ann Arbor, MI

Bill Connett Ann Arbor, MI

Robin Wagner Novi, MI

Lori Pas Milford

Glorious! To share everything...with a mother's love!

zan daley white Lake, mi

martin soave ann arbor

Yvonne DeCarlo Northville, MI

Look at those babies - perfection!

Diana Gilham Ann Arbor, MI

The angelic faces of sleeping babies is a beautiful sight; their sweet innocence warms and stirs my maternal heart.

Sandy Flint, MI

Janet Bell Ann Arbor, MI

I like many of these selections...It is hard to pick only one.

yecker

Erin Gilligan  Ypsilanti, MI

Simply beautiful.

Kate Ernsting  Ann Arbor, MI

Shannon O'Dell  South Lyon, MI

I can feel the love this mother has for her babies. Also the two babies are positioned in a very symbolic manner, one facing inward, one outward. I am not sure what the message really is, but it is clear that the artist is trying to evoke a response.

Barb Krenz

The timelessness of motherhood and the really cool way that human beings start.

back to top