February 2013
February brings new modes and media, contemporary work, and a magnificent visiting masterpiece to the MFA.
Coming February 2, is an extraordinary loan from the Philadelphia Museum of Art that gives visitors the opportunity to see two great masterpieces of French painting in America hanging side by side: Paul Cezanne’s The Large Bathers and the MFA’s own Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going? by Paul Gauguin. These works influenced a generation of modern artists that included Picasso and Matisse.
Another exhibition opening February 14 in the Loring Gallery takes a new approach to a traditional art form. “Triumph of the Winter Queen” tells the political and personal history of a royal family, providing an immersive, multi-layered viewing experience of the immense allegorical painting by 17th-century Dutch master Gerrit van Honthorst.
Looking for Valentine’s Day date ideas (or for any date night)? Book a table for two at Bravo and enjoy seasonally inspired, artfully prepared cuisine with an emphasis on sustainable, local ingredients.
Also opening in February is the exciting contemporary take on traditional blue-and-white ceramics in “New Blue and White.” Visit the exhibition and then look for more blue and white in galleries across the Museum.
Don’t miss Cogan Family Foundation February Vacation Week Adventures if you have kids off from school. Bring them to the MFA so they can dive into art. Kids under 17 are free during school vacation week!
Malcolm Rogers
Ann and Graham Gund Director Museum of Fine Arts, Boston