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The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
The classic work of literature by L. Frank Baum. Illustrated by W. W. Denslow. Often called the American Fairytale. The original book that the 1939 film, The Wizard of Oz is based on. Everyone knows and loves the classic tale of Dorothy and her journey to Oz. -
Period: to
1900-1950 Fine Art Virtual Museum
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Rain
Oil on canvas painting by Edvard Munch. The painting shows two women standing outside on a Fall day. It appears to be raining or has just rained due to the reflective shine on the wooden deck. One can almost feel the cool wet weather the women are experiencing. -
The Thinker
A bronze sculpture by Auguste Rodin. Originally named The Poet. The Thinker is a nude male seated on a rock. He is resting an elbow on one knee and appears to be in deep thought. Often used as sign of philosophy. There are 28 full-size castings. -
Still Life with a Checkered Tablecloth
An oil on canvas painting by Henri Matisse. A still life of a checkered picnic tablecloth with supplies sitting on top of a fireplace mantel. Fruit is spilling out of the basket. What stands out most is the checkered tablecloth and the blue post. The bright colors breathe life into this vibrante painting. -
Lightning
Painting by Mikalojus Ciurlionis. An ominous sky that releases lightning bolts down to a body of water. There appears to be a mountain in the distance. The opening in the sky where the lightning bolts strike though makes one wonder where the lightning is coming from. -
Robie House
The Frederick C. Robie House by architect, Frank Lloyd Wright. The house is a U.S. National Historic Landmark and lives on the campus of the University of Chicago. Said to be the greatest example of the Prairie School style architecture, an American style. -
Stag at Sharkey's
An oil on canvas painting by George Bellows. Two boxer fight it out in an athletic club in New York City. Bellows used quick brush strokes to create a blurred image giving the painting a look of motion. He chose to put the viewer at a low point as if he is one of the crowd. -
Symphony No. 8
Symphony No. 8 in E flat major by Gustav Mahler. Often called the "Symphony of a Thousand" because of the massive number of instrumentalists and vocalists it requires to perform. It is the largest choral works in the classical concert series. The piece is an expression of confidence in the human spirit. -
Antibes, the towers
An oil on canvas painting by Paul Signac. This piece is bright, lite, and wispy. Shows what looks like a small city surrounded by water. Signac's technique is interesting as he used dabs of paint to create the overall painting. There is beauty in the dabs themselves and in the reflection of the water. -
Earthly Paradise
An oil on canvas painting by Pierre Bonnard. Earthly Paradise reminds the viewer of an "Adam and Eve" setting with two nude figures surrounded in the joys of nature. The painting is lush with colors and animals. It also appears as if the standing nude figure is eating something. An apple perhaps? -
Black Iris III
Black Iris III is a painting by Georgia O'Keeffe. She often used flowers as her subject. She is recognized as the mother of American Modernism. She often painted close-ups of flower blossoms as if they were magnified. It is often said that her paintings represented female anatomy. -
I Saw the Figure 5 in Gold
"I Saw the Figure 5 in Gold" is a painting by Charles Demuth. Also called "The Figure 5 in Gold," the painting is said to be influenced by futurism and cubism. The title is a phrase in the poem, "The Great Figure." The poem describes the figure of a fire truck racing through a city. It is a striking piece that is bold with a statement. -
American Gothic
An oil on beaverboard painting by Grant Wood. Shows 19th century Americana. A painting of a house with the people who would live there. A father with his daughter at his side. The pitchfork represents farm labor and the flowers over the girl's shoulder represents domesticity. This painting has become one of the most parodied pieces in history. -
Young Scientist
An oil on canvas painting by George Ericson (Eugene Iverd). He has also done paintings for the works of Saturday Evening Post and many other popular magazines of the time. The painting shows a curious young boy examining a plant with his scientific tools at his side. The blue sky gives the viewer the idea of a bright and sunny day where you can almost smell the soil. -
Migrant Mother
A photograph by Borothea Lange. The iconic image of Florance Owens Thompson during the Great Depression. The photo shows a strong mother surrounded by her hungry children. What makes this image so powerful is that it speaks to the viewer. The viewer is left to create their own story around this character. It projects emotion and thought. -
New York Movie
An oil on canvas painting by Edward Hopper. A powerful painting that shows two worlds in a way. One world being of the movie goer who is watching a film in the dim light of the theater. The second world is of the usherette who stands against a wall. The viewer wonders what is going through here head. She must be thinking about something concerning. -
Nighthawks
On oil on canvas painting by Edward Hopper. A very interesting painting with a story to tell. A few people sit in a diner in the middle of the night. A woman in red and a man in a hat sit by while maybe being watched be the man with his back turned to the viewer. Dark and empty streets fill with the bright lights of the diner. The painting feels like something is about to happen. A favorite of mine. -
Nude with Calla Lilies
An oil painting by Diego Rivera. A nude female figure embraces an armful of calla lilies that are placed in a basket. I do not know for sure what it is about this painting but there is something aestheticaly pleasing about it. Sure, it is a little odd to be naked and hugging flowers but it sort of represents the joy of an object. That is my interpretation. -
Tristan and Isolde
An oil on canvas painting by Salvador Dali. Dali is know for surrealism. The two figures in the painting appear to be lovers, one male and the other female. The female has a dandelion for a head. The male figure in blue appears to be going in for a kiss but tragedy may strike. The dandelion may just blow away. The painting gives an overall grim and dark portrayal of this two characters. -
Christina's World
Painting by Andrew Wyeth. Tempera on Gessoed Panel. Said to be one of the best-known American paintings of the 20th century. Done in the realist style, a woman is lying on the ground in a field looking on to an old farmhouse. The painting gives a sense of danger. The woman seems to be in some sort of trouble. There are not many clues to give this thought but it is just in the way she is turned and the dark color of the house that make one feel like there is something not right going on.
