Mattatuck Museum

 This week I visited the Mattatuck Museum of art in Waterbury CT. The museum focuses on the work of painters and sculptors who were born and/or based in Connecticut. Its collection spans the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. The museum highlights the commercial and cultural achievements related to the city of Waterbury. The museum was small and only the 1^st and 3^rd floor were open for viewing as the 2^nd floor was under renovation and will be open next week.

 

Horizontal Mona Lisa,1993

oil on a canvas, 14x18

George Deem

This painting was influenced by the original Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci, ca, 1503-1506. Although I have seen the original Mona Lisa several times it caught my eye because of its position. The idea of the artist was to make a point that how certain images are so into our          conscious minds that we recognize them even when they are altered. 

This is true, Deem turned the painting on its side and turned the face 

                                                     upside down. 

Fragonard at the Frick, 2006

oil on a canvas

This piece was another gift from the estate of George Deem. This picture caught my eye because I remember studying late Baroque art in Art History class. I really enjoyed that class and the art from that era.  This piece is part of the Frick art collection in New York, called Progress of Love which is part of the large murals origin as a decorative series for Madame du Barry.