My visit to SBMA

This past weekend, I escaped from my usual responsibilities to board an Amtrack train headed to the Santa Barbara Museum of Art!

I felt like a little kid visiting a candy store as I excitedly ran up the stairs to the main entrance of the museum and anxiously opened up the double glass doors. I was greeted by the attendee at the desk where I was planning to pay for my admission and had a brief conversation with her about my intentions of the visit. Specifically, I mentioned that I was enrolled in an Art History class and wanted to study some of the pieces that we had discussed to get a fuller understanding. And since I am currently enrolled, she allowed me to enter for free, no admission costs, which surprisingly saved me $6.00 bucks (standard fee $9, students $6, Sunday free admission).

I grabbed a map of the museum, some brochures, flyers, etc. from the front desk and rushed into the Ludington Court. The first piece I viewed was the Landsdowne Hermes, Roman, first half of 2nd century A.D, Marble. With its classical style, non expressive facial features and ideal proportions, I immediately compared it to that of Michelangelo's David. I had this innate desire to touch the marble statue and even looked to my left and right to see if I could get away with it, but there was someone watching me, so I hesitantly behaved and kept my notepad in one hand, pen in the other and continued to admire the beautiful sculpture -- within reasonable distance of course. What really fascinated me about seeing this particular piece was the intricate detail that one cannot normally see in a mere publishing. For example, I could see the veins overlaying the bone in the hand of the piece and often found myself examining my own hands, comparing the precise similarities; I was impressed!

After viewing a few more marble sculptures, I headed for the Campbell room (Picture Stories: The Art of Europe and the Americas) where I viewed various 17th century oil on canvas paintings. My favorite piece in this area was by an unknown artist, The Madness of Nebuchadnezzar, early 17th century, Oil on Canvas: A painting of a beautiful forest scene with golden and green colored foliage including animals of all shaped, colors, and sizes. There were mice, birds, camels, dogs, goats, bulls, sheep, deer and much more wild life prancing, dancing, moving, and looking in every direction. With all the action going on in the front of the painting, it took me some time to notice the King of Babylon in the background on all fours looking very estranged in his new habitat. This scene must have alluded to Daniel 4:33 "The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' [feathers], and his nails like birds' [claws]." I still want to do more research on this piece and figure out which genre/category if falls into. What do you think?

Like an adventurous child, I found myself eager to see what else I could find to satisfy my curiosities. I weaved in and out, went to and fro, back and forth, saw etchings, woodcuts, Picasso's, modern pieces, still life and portraits and finally started winding down when all of a sudden...I found the Godiva amongst tootsie rolls...the grandiose painting of the Renaissance to Rococo...it was a museum of art within a museum of art...Giovanni Paolo Panini, Interior of a Picture Gallery with the Collection of Cardinal Silvio Valenti Gonzaga (detail), 1749. Oil on canvas. I had to take a few steps back to take it all in and scribbled the following notes upon my first impression,"Wow, rich colors, intricate designs, exhaustive detail, huge painting, drawings, portraits, marble columns" etc. This is the MUST see piece of the gallery!

And just when I realized the art gallery had another level "Asian Galleries" is about the time my friend gave up on me and pulled the "I'll be waiting outside" bit. So, unfortunately, I do not have much to share about the rest of the museum, but would love to hear about it from anyone who has. Overall, it was a great experience and I recommend it to all. It definitely satisfied my sweet tooth :)

Next stop...The Getty Museum! I am planning a trip to the Getty on Saturday, April 22! I will post details, including times, directions, car-pool info., etc. very soon...so save the date!

Some basic things I learned from the visit that I would like to share:

1. Wear comfortable shoes
2. Take a purse, bag, or backback with a shoulder strap
3. Have a notebook and pen to jot down your thoughts
4. Pick up a map/brochures to assist with visual aids when recalling pieces for writing assignment/s
5. Leave non-art lover at home!!! :)
   

Feel free to contact me with questions, concerns, suggestions: sheriabull79@verizon.net