Four down, forty-six to go

4 thoughts on “Four down, forty-six to go”

1. I am counting 10.

   Piero della Francesca The Baptism of Christ (1450s), National Gallery, London

   JMW Turner Rain, Steam and Speed – The Great Western Railway (exhibited 1844), National Gallery, London

   John Constable The Hay Wain (1821), National Gallery, London

   Claude Monet Nymphéas (1914-1926), Musée de l’Orangerie, Paris

   Stonehenge (2950BC-1600BC), Salisbury Plain, UK

   Edouard Manet The Dead Torero (1864), National Gallery of Art, Washington DC

   Michelangelo Sistine Chapel ceiling and altar wall frescoes (1508-1541), Rome

   Parthenon Sculptures (Elgin Marbles) (c. 444BC), British Museum, London

   Jean-Antoine Watteau Gilles (1718-1719), Louvre, Paris

   Katsushika Hokusai Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji (1829-1833), series of woodblock prints, copies in major museums worldwide

   Reply

2. Sigh? What is the meaning of this sigh? Just think, you’ve seen 4 more than many people in the history of the planet, and due to the wonders of modern technology, you can see images of all the rest if you so desire. Not only that, but there’s a good chance you’ll have the opportunity to see more in person before you die.

   And of course, it’s just one list. It’s a nice list, sure, but if you got a different bunch of people to make such a list, it’s bound to be different. There’s nothing particularly authoritative about this list that couldn’t also be said of other similar lists that could be created.

   Finally, just seeing them isn’t the point, is it? I’ve seen 8 of the things on the list, and yet I’d venture to guess that you’re far better educated and informed than I am on artistic matters. I’d say it’s more important to see the ones which will do something for you — the Rothko Chapel didn’t do much for me, so in a sense that visit was wasted in some sense, and probably shouldn’t count.

   Reply

3. Well, when you put it that way, Dave, sure. Heck, all manner of ways in which I am truly blessed, living in a virtual paradise versus that of any other generation.

   But still — I wouldn’t mind seeing a few more of those purties sometime.

   Reply

4. I think I’ve seen pictures of three of them. Maybe four.

   Art ain’t my bag. Although… 50 comic book panels/pages/covers to see before you die…

   Reply