Van Gogh and hard hats: a beautiful relationship

[mollyringle]

There was something I forgot to brag about. How remiss of me.

You know this Van Gogh painting? "Cafe Terrace at Night"? --



Of course you do. Everyone does. One in six college students buys a print of it when they're first looking to decorate their walls with something classy, and most keep it long after graduation. (Me, I actually had a print of "Starlight Over the Rhone," and I still have it, but I digress.)

Well, the original of that painting is in Seattle right now. And we saw it. For free. On a Monday night when it's usually Important People Only at the Seattle Art Museum. How? Because, by a lucky twist of fate, the SAM is undergoing a huge renovation, and I work for the construction company that got the bid. So by extension we employees (and our families) are Friends of the Arts, and they invited us in for one special day.

In truth this isn't bragging. I was just trying to sound obnoxious. In truth, this is a public service announcement. That painting is exquisite and if you live in Seattle you should get down there and see the exhibit before it leaves in September. Many of the others in the collection, Vincent's especially, are also gorgeous, and of course there's a thrill in stepping up close and seeing the actual brush strokes that he put there. But the "Cafe Terrace" is stunning. With some famous paintings, I must admit I don't really see the attraction. I'm not sure I would have looked twice at the "Mona Lisa," myself. However, this one deserves its fame. It's just as beautiful as you would hope. Or at least I thought so.

This collection is only stopping in one other place in the U.S. (Atlanta's High Museum) before returning to its home in the Netherlands, so really, do see it if you can.

And I don't blame you one bit if you own a print of it.

Comments

[sopdetly.livejournal.com]

I bought a framed print of "Starry Night" when I was in college *veg* It's over my bed now. Rather fits my personality, eh? ;) Very cool that you got to see the real thing! I'm not a huge art fan myself, but when those opportunities come around, you definitely have to grab them and run :D

[jazzypoet.livejournal.com]

Lucky you!!! :-) That's so awesome. *hugs*

[bluesound.livejournal.com]

I'd have thought most students would try to eat a print of it rather than hang it on their walls.

[oloriel.livejournal.com]

Really? How come? Though I am, by chance, on the "Starlight over the Rhône" side myself, but that's beside the point...

I actually was in that cafe, or rather, in a cafe situated in the very same place. Of course, their prices are incredibly high just because they happen to have the luck to have a cafe in the place where the Cafe Le Nuit was...

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

Nah, too expensive. Ramen noodles are much cheaper.

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

I find I, too, am especially drawn to paintings and photos of night skies. Something so pretty about the stars. And that was even before David Duchovny graced the TV screen on the X-files. ;)

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

Cool!
My mom tells me I was at that cafe site too, though I wouldn't remember it, since she was pregnant with me at the time. :)