A Long Look Podcast

Salomon van Ruysdael absolutely nails the feeling of optimism, enjoyment, maybe even relief, as his fellow Dutch citizens ferry across a river on a soft spring evening. They're setting out to explore their hard-won, brand new Dutch Republic. You might remember from a previous episode about their war for independence against Spain, they spent 80 years fighting for this moment. We'll find out the fe...

George Inness painted this scene of a train chugging through a bucolic landscape for the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad to commemorate the opening of their big, new train roundhouse in Scranton PA. This hub would allow them to expand service from the Great Lakes to Hoboken NJ, right across the Hudson River from New York City. We'll find out how George fell in love with painting and how...

To be honest, I wasn't sure how appropriate it would be to start another season of an arts podcast during the Covid-19 pandemic. But the incredibly creative work of so many museums, galleries and people around the world convinced me to join in. Because the Gallery is closed, I'll be choosing artworks on their site that allow for zooming and panning to see details. As always, you're invited to do t...

The blossoms are starting to bloom, so "A Long Look" is going on spring break! If you've been enjoying the show I'd really appreciate if you would spread the word! Personal recommendations are one of the top ways people discover podcasts. Another way you can support the show is by leaving a review or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite app. And don't forget, "A Long Look" can be enjoyed by l...

When Berthe Morisot and her sister Edma wanted to learn how to paint, their parents willingly obliged. After all, that was part of an upper-class young woman's education. But when their teacher saw their incredible talent, he warned their mother, "…they will become painters. Are you fully aware of what that means? It will be revolutionary…" And he was right! For a woman to become a professional pa...

When Jasper Cropsey painted Autumn – On the Hudson River , he set out to create a breathtaking vista to promote the idea of American grandeur and vast potential. Like Breezing Up (A Fair Wind) by Winslow Homer, it was meant to be optimistic and suggest endless possibilities. Ironic, since it was painted one year before the Civil War started. We'll find out how Cropsey's talent took him from a Stat...

Rene Magritte is one of the best known Surrealist painters and loved turning expectations on their heads. Which could explain A LOT about some of the more unsavory parts of his life! And we'll find out how he turned a simple view of a front lawn into something mind-blowing! See La Condition Humaine does not have an open access image available. You can see it at https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-o...

It's Christmas and that means it's time to look at another of the Gallery's gorgeous  Annunciation paintings. The elaborate inlay work decorating almost every square inch of this Renaissance room almost makes you miss the main event! Masolino has chosen to show the moment after Gabriel's astounding news but before Mary's response. We'll find out why the room is so tilted and the real reason behind...

I realized I've been talking a lot lately about pure and pious saints. So, it's time to lighten up by hanging out with people who know how to party–the Dutch! Scenes like this of a large group drinking and dancing were Jan Steen's specialty. We'll find out what brings these country and city folks together and the naughty message behind the caged rooster! See the artwork at https://alonglookpodcast...

Breezing Up was a huge hit when Homer exhibited it during the American centennial, 1876. Viewers loved the optimism he conveyed in this scene of a trio of boys and their old skipper speeding towards port, one lad looking towards the horizon. We'll find out how Homer uses a technique we heard about in the Sargent episode that makes us feel like we're on board and get a brief introduction to lithogr...

A young person kneels before a crowd of one-percenters in this kaleidoscopic medieval scene. Meet Joan of Arc, one very tough teen. She's here to convince the exiled French court that she can save France from the British. No wonder they look skeptical! And just like Sodoma , we get to discover another artist, Louis Maurice Boutet de Monvel. He painted a series of six images about Joan's life for S...

Slaying dragons and rescuing damsels–all in a day's work for St. George of Cappadocia. We get his story from The Golden Legend by Jacobus de Voragine, the same place I found the story of St. Lucy ! We also discover the flamboyant Sodoma, an artist I've never heard of! Apparently, this painting isn't always on display so it was great to find this hidden gem. See the artwork at https://alonglookpodc...

Excited for Season 4 to get started! We'll be looking at one big favorite and a couple of hidden gems. Plus one artist I'd never even heard of! A Long Look is now available on all podcast apps, including Spotify and TuneIn! As always, you can find links to the information in each episode in the show notes. You can now find transcripts in the show notes too! The best thing about A Long Look? It's a...

We've reached the end of Season 3! Thanks to all you returning listeners and welcome to our new audience members. If you've been enjoying the show, you can show your appreciation by subscribing and sharing! You can also help by leaving a comment or rating in Apple Podcasts or in your podcast app. That helps more people discover the show! "A Long Look" will be back in October to give me time to pla...

This dramatic scene was painted by Paolo Veronese during the Counter-Reformation. The Church, reeling from years of corruption and the rise of Protestantism, relied on works like these to promote the importance and validity of the sacraments. And martyrs were meant to serve as role models to Catholics. The idea was, "Hey, look what this person is willing to go through for their faith!" I thought i...

This deceptively peaceful summer landscape actually bristles with energy! Van Gogh painted this in Arles, in the south of France where he tried to escape modern life and re-discover a simpler, brighter world. We'll find out how the actions of an American admiral in a country on the other side of the globe led to one of the biggest artistic influences that Europe–and Vincent–had ever experienced. S...

Today's painting was a real challenge to describe! It's by Wassily Kandinsky, a Russian artist who was one of the pioneers of abstract art. We'll find out how the Apocalypse, Monet, Matisse and music all came together to influence this work. And we'll find out how Kandinksy's philosophy behind the Improvisation paintings made him an early advocate for long looking! Improvisation 31 (Sea Battle) do...

Degas broke the rules with his innovative sculpture of Marie van Goethem, a young ballet student at the Paris Opera. We'll find out where she came from and the not-so-glamorous life of a ballerina in Paris in the 1880s and how freaked out the public was when it went on display! We'll also discover how he was the original upcycler, using materials he had on hand to create her. At the end of the epi...

Saul of Tarsus is having a very bad day at work. We'll find out what (or who) is causing all the chaos he encounters on the road and how picking a fight with the wrong guy led Saul into an unexpected career change. And we'll also talk about the young, impatient Tintoretto who, like JMW Turner, loved to thumb his nose at convention. SHOW NOTES (TRANSCRIPT) "A Long Look" theme is "Ascension" by Ron...

In the late 1800s, it was common for families to have their pastor over for Sunday dinner. That's what Richard Norris Brooke is depicting in this cozy domestic scene. We'll find out what inspired him to document the lives of his African-Americans neighbors in Warrenton, Virginia and the story of the man who founded the first art museum in the country, The Corcoran Gallery. See the artwork at https...

John Constable painted this bucolic landscape for Major General Francis Slater–Rebow but it's not what it appears to be! We'll talk about the headaches caused by an overeager client and what one of those cows is hiding.  We'll also see how Constable used a technique to conjure up distant figures, just like Camille Pissarro did decades later. And we'll find out how Constable's cheapness and cold fe...

Edward Hopper was famous for his ambiguous paintings and "Cape Cod Evening" is no exception. We'll find out the possible pop culture influence for the scene and how dumb luck can play a big role in creating art. And just what is the dog looking at? See the artwork at https://alonglookpodcast.com/cape-cod-evening-by-edward-hopper/ SHOW NOTES (TRANSCRIPT) "A Long Look" theme is "Ascension" by Ron Ge...

In a complete 180 from the spiritual contemplation of our last episode , today we're looking at the portrait of Jeanne Bécu, who became Madame du Barry, the last mistress of Louis XV of France. She lived and loved (a lot!) in the days before the French Revolution. We'll find out her fate along with that of her portraitist, Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun. I'll give you a hint–only one of them survives! Se...

Welcome back for Season 3! We're starting with one of Vermeer's gorgeous, mysterious paintings. We'll discover the layers of meaning in this simple domestic scene, what's in the balance and just what the Jesuits have to do with her. We'll also find out how a guy who started out as a butcher ended up donating this painting to the Gallery. You can find reading recommendations and a transcript at the...

I just wanted to let you know I'm hard at work on Season 3! We're going to start off with another Gallery favorite, this time by Vermeer. The new season starts soon, and in the spirit of spring rejuvenation, I've updated the intro to give new listeners a better idea of what to expect when they click play.  So, get ready to listen while strolling through the spring blooms and cherry blossoms. For t...