August 2011 - National Gallery of Art Newsletter

Cornelis Verbeeck, A Naval Encounter between Dutch and Spanish Warships, c. 1618/1620 When Cornelis Verbeeck's paintings Dutch Warship Attacking a Spanish Galley and Spanish Galleon Firing Its Cannons underwent conservation for removal of discolored varnish, an exciting discovery transformed our understanding of these works. In this video, curator Arthur Wheelock, joined by conservator Michael Swicklik and frame conservator Richard Ford, discusses the paintings' new appearance as two halves of a reunited battle scene.   West Building, Dutch Cabinet Gallery 50-B www.nga.gov/podcasts/index.htm#verbeeck www.nga.gov/fcgi-bin/tinfo_f?object=156252

Gallery Talk "15 Pairs of Hands" by Bruce Nauman Wander among 15 pairs of hands poised on slim white pedestals, on loan from the artist, as lecturer Adam Davies, along with an American Sign Language interpreter, considers the juxtaposition of visual meaning and language. (Image: Bruce Nauman, Fifteen Pairs of Hands, 1996, Courtesy Glenstone)   East Building, Concourse Galleries August 29, 30, 31, 1:00 www.nga.gov/programs/galtalks/index.htm#fifteenpairs

Film Series Recovered Treasure: UCLA's Festival of Preservation Recently restored gems such as Anthony Mann's Strangers in the Night (1944), Samuel Beckett's Film (1965), and Barbara Loden's Wanda (1970) from the UCLA Film and Television Archive's 17th annual preservation festival will be shown. (Film still from Wanda, courtesy UCLA Film and Television Archive)   August 5, 6, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28 Times vary East Building Auditorium www.nga.gov/programs/film/uclapreservation.htm

Film Program for Children and Teens Azur and Asmar Animation master Michel Ocelot's epic tale of Azur, a nobleman's son who is raised by a nurse alongside her own son, Asmar, celebrates multiculturalism, loyalty, and honesty. Azur and Asmar both compete for the heart of the beautiful Djinn Fairy. Illustrations were influenced by the illuminated manuscripts of medieval France, Persian miniatures, and the Islamic architecture of Spain and North Africa. France, 2006/2008, 99 minutes. (Film still courtesy Michel Ocelot)   August 6 and 10, 10:30; August 7, 11:30 Ages 6 and up East Building Auditorium www.nga.gov/programs/flmchild/index.htm#azurasmar

Conversations with Artists Podcasts These programs—now available as audio podcasts—began in 1985 to highlight distinguished contemporary artists whose work has been featured in Gallery exhibitions. Included are Christo and Jeanne-Claude, Jim Dine, Roy Lichtenstein, Richard Misrach (pictured, copyright Richard Misrach), Claes Oldenburg, Pat Steir, Wayne Thiebaud, and Leo Villareal. www.nga.gov/podcasts/conversations/

Gemini G.E.L. Online Catalogue Raisonne, Second Edition Since 1981, the Gallery has housed the Gemini G.E.L. (Graphic Editions Limited) Archive. The newly expanded version of the online catalogue raisonne introduces 333 works produced by the shop between early 1997 and late 2005, now presenting 2,069 online editions that record Gemini's creative activity from its inception in 1966. (Image: John Baldessari, Person with Guitar [Red], 2005, copyright Gemini G.E.L. and the Artist) www.nga.gov/gemini/overview.htm

Plan Your Group's Italian Feast If you are planning a trip to the Gallery with a group, be sure to include lunch in the serene Garden Cafe Italia. The menu was designed by Chef Fabio Trabocchi of Fiola, inspired by Italian art at the Gallery. The cafe can accommodate groups up to 50. Larger groups can be accommodated with the same menu in the Cascade Cafe. Group reservations are recommended at least seven days in advance; parties of all sizes may call (202) 712-7454. (Image: watermelon salad, photo by Rob Shelley)   Monday–Saturday, 10:00–4:30 Sunday, 11:00–5:30 East Building, Concourse www.nga.gov/dining#garden

A Masterpiece from the Capitoline Museum, Rome: "The Capitoline Venus" One of the most famous masterpieces from Roman antiquity is on loan to the United States for the first time. Unearthed in the 1670s, it was given by Pope Benedict XIV to the Capitoline Museum in 1752 and was among the trophies Napoleon Bonaparte seized in 1797. It was returned in 1816, became popular with tourists, and inspired a story by American author Mark Twain. (Photo by Rob Shelley)   Through September 5 West Building, Rotunda www.nga.gov/venus

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