Our last morning in Manhattan, Hispanic Society

Breakfast at the 24 Hour City Diner after a run by the Hudson (my companion), housekeeping (me)  
Then our last excursion.

The Hispanic Society of America was founded on May 18, 1904, by Archer Milton Huntington (1870-1955).  It is a free museum, library and art gallery and a little gem. It is situated Uptown at the end of Broadway.  It is quiet and soothing. We are pleased to be greeted in Spanish.






Above is the genius himself, El Greco's Evangelist.  Here is Solana's Marineros de Castro Urdiales. 1917.

A 15 C Mudejar door from Sevilla

A 15C font from Toledo.

A 15C door knocker delights my own Art Historian

This is the newly acquired El Costeno, a masterpiece by the Mexican, Arrieta, c 1843.

The first exhibition at The Hispanic Society in 1909 feature Sorolla's Vision of Spain, which consists of fourteen works.  

Guipuzcoa, Bowling is my favourite. 

Next stop is Newark International Airport.  I have to pinch myself to believe this wonderful week has really happened.  Thanks to J & J who made it perfect in their different ways.  

A day trip to Long Beach

It starts overcast but soon the sun burns through. We go back to the dreaded Penn Station and take the Long Island Railroad to Long Beach.  This is quite a fun trip via suburban areas, not by the coast.  Long Beach itself is as it sounds.  A non discript one horse town like a million new world conurbations.  The beach is long and boring with high rise at the back. There are no interesting chiringuitos, rocks, ponds or piers. The waves are too big but the sea is lovely warm and as ever, it is relaxing by the sea, and wonderful to be in the sun.  

We travel home a little earlier than of late.  

After a beer on the balcony, we swim in our pool at sunset and visit the roof terrace one last time. 

We walk out on the warm dark evening to The Dead Poet for a beer.  We sit at a high barrel and chat,

enjoying Bronx IPA and Goose Island IPA, on our last night in Manhattan.

Finishing the Whitney. And Greenwich Village

Edward Hopper, Another Sunset, 1929 and Early Sunday Morning, 1930

And here we have an example of American Japonism.  Chiura Obatu's wood block prints. 

Jacob Lawrence again, from War Series.

Robert Bechtle, 61 Pontiac, 1968 depicts his own family and makes me think of my own 60's family.

And of course, Roy Lichenstein is here, Little Big Painting 1965

Milton Glasner's 'Don't Eat Grapes'

We love The Whitney but are pleased to be back on the streets exploring Greenwich Village. 

We wind up hot and thirsty at the AC Beer Parlor, and sample the Summer Ale

Tea Break at The Whitney

The roof top cafe has amazing views and non inflated prices. It's possible to walk from floor to floor on outdoor staircases. 

Another Art Day, The Whitney contd

The Whitney has a focus on 20 and 21 century American art. It was founded in 1931 by Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney (1875-1942), a wealthy and prominent American socialite and art patron.

The Whitney's permanent collection comprises more than 21,000 paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, photographs, films, videos, and new media by more than 3,000 artists. It places a particular emphasis on exhibiting the work of living artists.  It is situated in the up and coming Meat packing district, which is by Greenwich Village which we will visit later.  

We are immediately drawn to Floating Ice,  George Bellows.

And Lower New York by Victoria Huntley.  We are very pleased to see so many works by female artists.

Below is Philadelphia by Charles Sheeler.

We love this work.  Last Evening of the Year, Oscar Bluemner.

Another Art Day contd

So, it's lunch on the High Line, which I have described in an earlier post then on to the The Whitney gallery of American Art.  This is far more exciting than I somehow imagined.  

MOMA contd.

Post War art features the wonderful Mondrian.

And I am delighted by Picasso's 'Three Musicians', telling my companion it is my favourite.

Jacob Lawrence is a discovery for us.

He reminds us of our own Lowry.

And the tragic Frida Kahlo is here too. 

And La Persistencia de Memoria by Dali

I have always loved this work and it is amazing to see it in real life.