Originally posted on my MamaBugs' Blog

We didn't have tons of time but we (okay 3 out of 4 of us) really wanted to see this. We found a printed guide that walks you through and allows you to see 12 major works in less than one hour so that's what we opted for.

Wonderful!!!

In that time we got to see:

Leonardo da Vinci's Ginevra de Benci Can you see the cracks in the paint down toward the bottom? oh! Almost forgot to tell yuo that it is displayed so you can see the backside as well...

Bellini and Titian's Feast of the Gods

Raphael's Alba Madonna

Jan van Eyck's Anunciation This is a rather smallish painting done on wood.

Daniel in the Lion's Den by Rubens I didn't realize this was as large as it is. The details of the lions is remarkable...

Rembrandt (van Rijn)'s The Mill I enjoyed his self portrait and the portrait of his wife more than The Mill. Here is an interesting fact that may have helped me appreciate it more...Rembrandt's paternal forefathers were flour-millers and the family's mill stood close to the Rhine River. Skippy and I had fun trying to find his signature in his paintings as he didn't sign in the same spot each time!

Emperor Napoleon in His Study by Jacques-Louis David (This was Bugs favorite having something to do with oneof her favorite sonlight books this year!)

Manet's The Old Musician

Claude Monet's Rouen Cathedral, West Facade, Sunlight I am including the link to this piece although I cannot understand why they would have you choose this piece over some of the others hanging there. Click here to see those...we particularly enjoyed Japanese Footbridge, Jerusalem Artichoke Flowers and The Cradle

Boy in a Red Waistcoat by Cezanne

Rubens Peale with a Red Geranium by Rembrandt Peale

We also spent time with Vincent van Gogh's 1889 self portrait and Roses and be still my heart, Mary Cassatt's work! Oh joy! I adore her work. I'm sure it is her subject matter that appeals to my mama heart. Children Playing on the Beach and Child in a Straw Hat were just delightful! I was amused to see the Girl Arranging Her Hair has slightly bucked teeth! *S* We also got to glance at a few Degas' but not to the length of time I would have liked.

It was SO exciting (Aunty Gina...pay attention here!) to watch the girls talk about the paintings and artists and to be SO excited to be able to stand in front of them. They were mesmerized. Skippy HAD to stand next to Vincent's self-portrait to "get a picture with him". ROFL! Bug was crushed there were no Matisse works on display...she was actually rather insulted I think! I was enjoying watching other patrons watch my girls' excitement...especially older people. They seemed impressed the girls knew the works and artists and a few mentioned their enthusiasm and how rewarding that was to see.

As for Sarge...well he endured it as best he could...

Check out more about the National Gallery of Art

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