How to See a Museum in a Hurry: Sarasota, FL

 

 

 

 

In the last few weeks I’ve shared some art photos and thoughts, plus a few tips on how to take in a large museum. But what if you’re running out of time?

 

That happened to me earlier in the year when a friend and I took a day trip to Sarasota, Florida. We wanted to see the Ringling Brothers circus museum and the home of John Ringling (1866-1936) . He was a great art collector and there is a large rectangular building with an enclosed courtyard that houses his treasures.

 

By the time we took in the circus paraphernalia, got tickets to tour Ringling’s home, and had lunch, we only had about an hour to see the art. We wasted about 15 minutes just trying the find the entrances and another few more navigating a confusing layout. In all, we had 40 minutes to sample what’s there. What to do?

 

First, admit you can’t possibly see it all.  

 

Second, force yourself not to get distracted by looking at things that don’t please you. I’m not a fan of Baroque art and I’ve seen plenty of Virgin and Child paintings from the Renaissance, so I sailed through those galleries. Remember, nobody is going to give you a for-credit quiz on each gallery.

 

Third, stride forcibly through the galleries and stop only when something attracts your eyes. Don’t be seduced by labels. As I said in an earlier post, do a bit of homework in advance to know what a museum collects in abundance. If you have limited time, don’t waste it by staring at a minor work with a familiar name by the frame. Let your eyes wander to things that really grab you. If you learn about a few dozen things that spoke to you, that’s plenty.

 

Here is my culling of a few things that slowed my pace enough to take them in and snap a photo to enjoy later. 

 

If you think pumpkin boats are odd, how about a watermelon regatta--Unknown 16th c Italy.

Canaletto. Interesting to imagine San Marco Square being built in Venice.

Giovanni Graneri, Lottery Drawing and Market in Turin 18th c

Franz Hals, contemporary of Rembrandt. Told you he was good!

If you're heard of the Shroud of Turin, know it was a widespread tale and that numerous other cities had similar legends. 

It was a thing in the Renaissance to do portraits made of fruits and veg.

Joseph Wright of Derby, Moonlight Landscape

Alfred Stevens, Parisian Celebrities 1889. Stevens was English and hung out with Pre-Raphaelites.

Edward Burne Jones, one of the greats of the Pre-Raphaelites. "Three Sirens"

One of my "finds." I never heard of Onzio Marinari, but this 1670 painting stopped me in my tracks.