The Guggenheim

One of Frank Lloyd Wright's most famous creations is this art museum in New York City, opened in 1959. Overlooking Central Park, it is hard to miss, standing out like a sore thumb on Fifth Avenue. In a good way, of course. The little red square basically functions as FLW's signature; red was a favorite color of his representing creation.



The seal on the entrance floor:



The atrium has always been the showstopper for me; I could photograph this thing from every possible angle and still not tire of it.





Let's move on to some of my favorites from the collection, shall we? The Hermitage at Pontoise by Camille Pissarro:



Before the Mirror by Édouard Manet:



Missed the name of this one. Oops.



Woman Ironing by Pablo Picasso. He certainly captures the drudgery of this chore.



Prades, the Village by Joan Miró:



Shots of two installations that impressed me:





Last and probably least...a toilet with a little tab on it so that you can use your foot to raise the lid without touching it. Genius.



More Frank Lloyd Wright and The Guggenheim at my main website.

Children's Classics in Central Park

Central Park in New York City is a total gem, especially for those who love the classics of childhood. This statue of Hans Christian Andersen is from 1956 by sculptor Georg J. Lober and depicts him reading one of his most famous works, The Ugly Duckling.



He looks a bit tired. I would be too if I'd been sitting in the same place since 1956.



This bronze statue from 1959 by José de Creeft was a tough one to photograph; everyone in the park was climbing all over it while they got their photo taken. And not just the kiddies.



This 1959 work by Frederick G. R. Roth was once a fountain. Not as famous as the other two statues, it depicts the major characters from Alice in Wonderland.



The Duchess:



The Mad Hatter:



The Red Queen:



Last but not least, Alice herself.



More Alice and Central Park at my main website.

Food and Art: What a Combo!

Thanks to a spot-on recommendation from a friend who lives in NYC, I was able to experience dining at Leopard at des Artistes near Central Park West. Not just dining...the evening was what I would call an experience. Accompanied by a long-time friend I had not seen in years, it was a night to remember. Arriving first, I went next door to check out the "hotel" portion of this complex, which was actually never a hotel, but rather an apartment building for artists.



Residents have included Norman Rockwell, Isadora Duncan, Alexander Woollcott, Fannie Hurst, and Noel Coward. Not too shabby. Back at the restaurant, I had a beverage while waiting for my friend to arrive. I was glad I had that extra time, as it afforded me the opportunity to have the Ukrainian bartender fill me in on the hotel and restaurant's history.



The restaurant is probably best known for its murals by artist Howard Chandler Christy titled, "Fantasy Scenes with Naked Beauties,” completed in 1935.



These were created when Christy lived in New York City and had his studio at the Hotel des Artistes.









Oh yes...and the food.



Every course was out of this world.



And dessert...



No, I didn't order two desserts. We shared.



If you are rushed, do not eat here. This is a place to be savored and appreciated.

More New York City photos at my main website.