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BOSTON MUSEUM OF ART
By: John Bullock
There are so many places to go today for great art and many countries that house a great many museums, and like all countries, including the United States, the major cities always have the finest museums. So, when you in the great USA, what better museum to visit than the Boston museum!
A special day, a special moment, a time remembered; that’s the goal when you visit a museum. When it’s your time and your mind you are trying to stimulate, while at the same time, entertaining and appeasing those around you, there is only one place to go, where everyone is able to find something of interest, the museum. And Boston museum tops everyone’s favorite museum destination. Not only because it’s in Boston and there’s so much to do there, and the city is clean and friendly and cultured, but because it has one of the very best private collections.
 The Boston Museum with its monumental architectural pillars is ominous. It’s a glorious architectural structure with a presence similar to that of the White House. The shape and form of the exterior of the massive building lends to the excitement of what waits inside; commentary, new thoughts, inspiration, all under one roof and many wings.
One such wing, the American, houses the collection from Mr. Forsyth Wickes, son of, E.A. Wickes, a very prominent and extremely well-respected and cultured New England family.
Mr. Forsyth Wickes, a longtime resident and art collector from New England, bequeathed, a half century ago, his art collection. In order to display his collection and others, an addition to the longstanding Decorative Arts Wing was built. Architect Hugh Stubbins Associates in 1968 added to the ambience of the Wickes collection with thickly arched ceilings and beautifully wainscoted walls. The wing’s grandeur plays host to the Wickes’ personal collection.
The collection consists of paintings, pastels, porcelains, ceramics, bronze, silver, glass and furniture. It’s a phenomenal collection. Walking through the gallery brings about a sense of awe and warmth. Mr. Wickes’ collection is not opulent and gaudy. Everything he has is tasteful and artistic. Just like the Boston museum.
Presently, as the Boston Museum of Fine Arts continues its appreciation and dedication to art and the Wickes family and its collection, the museums renovations include the east end of the new American wing, inside as well as outside. The landscaping to the new American Wing plays host to a lovely green belt filled with trees, enhancing the ambiance of the architecture and decorative landscaping, aptly named Forsyth Way. It's estimated time of completion is next terror in 2010.
 The museum has an incredible contemporary collection, displaying works from Guston, Close, Warhol and so many more. The museum began collecting its contemporary works when Monet and others were “working”, “living” artists. Which is just another great reason to appreciate the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. It collects, and has always been of the mind to collect “working” artist’s work. The Museum Director understands the importance of today’s artist, and that art is not just about the great works of the dead, but art is also about the deadly great works of the living.
The contemporary art exhibit is thought provoking. One such art piece, is the Blackboard untitled, by Beuys; which, unfortunately, is not always on display. This blackboard with chalk drawings on it was an actual blackboard used by Beuys when he was lecturing. Now, that’s finding art in education. It’s these types of pieces that make everyone from the common man, to the elitist, say to themselves, that art really is everywhere, and that art is really about what you make of it, and how it makes you feel. It’s at that moment of thought, that the Museum Director has accomplished his job of provoking thoughts from the viewer.
Walking around the museum is an enriching experience, even when you take a break to enjoy a libation, art surrounds you. In the café area, hanging and attached to the wall, is a contemporary installation piece by Jim Lambie; half chairs, with half handbags hanging upon them, united on a bold background of black and white. It’s whimsical and entertaining and makes you feel good and happy inside, evoking smiles from the young and old alike.
 Once you’ve finished your lunch or your get up and go drink, there is still more to see. The mummy collection is a must-see and no one, but no one should miss that exhibit. It’s not scary for the little children, but it is rather ominous. The many sarcophagi and their history makes you think about civilization and how far we’ve come, or how far we’ve tried to come and all of the warriors and leaders who have come before us. It’s a fantastic gallery.
Well, every gallery is actually fantastic.
The American paintings are incredible. Each painting stands in awe of the one next to it. You just can’t help but to fall into the world of each canvas. The pieces that the museum has collected are exemplary and the range of work is well thought out. There are the classics from the landscapes to the life stills to the most contemporary of abstract artists, such as Arthur Dove, and others previously mentioned. The stunning works in the American Wing such as the works of Sully and Sargent are opulently breathtaking.
Then of course there’s the must-see European collections, beginning with the splendor and elegance: European decorative arts and drawings from the Horace Woo Brock. The collection boasts furniture and decorative arts from paintings to ceramics to many other aristocratic European fineries of these myths 16th to early 19th century Europe.
Included within the Boston Museum of Fine Arts galleries and exhibits is the Ruth and Carl J. Shapiro film program. In addition to the Shapiro’s funding for the film program, they are also generously responsible for the stunning a glass-enclosed courtyard at new American wing. The Museum Director recognizes the importance of all visual arts, which includes the visual art of filmmaking. Within the glorious Boston Museum, there exist a cinema. This private, motion picture house showcases independent films, from classic to contemporary, and from local to International artistic filmmakers. This private cinema also plays host to a number of local and international film festivals, and just about every month, the audience is able to enjoy a new festival, with creative and artful films from around the globe.
There is no doubt that the Boston Museum of Fine Arts is one of America’s treasures. Long may she wave.
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