Dayumn, DAM!
This museum is FREE on Thursday afternoons/evenings, & on Sundays. FREE! FREE! FREE!
I was happily surprised to find that there are also FREE TOURS! Upon arrival a tour had just started, but we were able to join. There were only two other visitors on it, which was more personal. Docents, Nancy & Jim led us through six works, a transection of the movements/periods in the permanent collection. (According to Nancy, each docent chooses the works they like best, & know much about.) Note: apparently, tours are only offered on weekends.
The galleries possess a little something to cover each chapter of your "Art History 101" book, but it's not full halls per chapter, like the PMA. As others have mentioned, this is as much a positive as a negative. What they lack in depth, allows for an ingestible dose of breadth, which, when you're in the mood for a buffet, is just right. This is especially perfect for kids/artworld novices, who are learning from exposure, & IMO should see a little of everything, to see what catches their sensibility.
The tour we had, began with a trompe l'oiel violin still life, which I believe was Dutch, or of that Vermeer-y Dutch Baroque period. (I was late so I didn't get the full intro.) I knew what trompe l'oiel was, but if I hadn't had background study, it would have been an appreciated new insight/education. Nonetheless, it's always enriching to hear a docent discuss a painting, & I had a lot of fun picking Nancy & Jim's brains with my annoying questions (they were really patient & kind).
We moved on to a stained glass window taken from a Newport Gilded Age mansion. It had been commissioned through Morris (as in the Arts & Crafts guru) in England, but as a commission, the style was not Art Nouveau, rather made as ordered: a Viking ship. The owner of this RI manse, was enamored of Norse folklore & wanted her home styled in that vein. It was fascinating to hear about the installation, the fees, & the visual content of the ominous waves, as though inside the rocking boat.
The next work was "Spring Rain," by John Sloan, of a woman in Union Square at the time of the Industrial Rev. I noticed the light source was askew, & it annoyed me b/c there were no clues as to why. The female figure is illuminated unnaturally for her surroundings, just slightly. Why?
What would a visit to the Brandywine Valley be without a Wyeth painting? The A. Wyeth work, "Tenant Farmer," was an eerie egg tempera behind glass. Nancy gave us a worksheet to consider which adjectives best described our reaction to the dead deer hanging from a small tree. (I said "magical" b/c that puny branch could not support a deer.)
Next, a more contemp painting of women with dripping paint on the lines of sketch. It grew on me. Artistic Appropriation, I learned, is the term for when you rip off another creator's work. In this case, Grace Hartigan had copied an illustration from a paper doll book, but made it her drippy own. A bit brilliant.
Last, the "big hole" installation. Sorry, I forget the artist. It was novelty-interesting, but more sensational than cerebral.
There were also two exhibits going on, one on periodical/book illustrations from late 19thC/early 20thC, + an Edward Loper exhibit. I am not huge on this period of American illustrations (not a fan of Rockwellian apple pie propaganda), but I really felt moved by a lot of the Loper pieces. He was a Wilmington local, who painted all kinds of Wilm. & Philly scenes. His color & movement awed me, lots of mood energy in his canvass. I am glad I was introduced to him.
With Nancy's quick talks about the artists & works, I got a LOT more out of them. I'd have been burnt out to tour every piece, but the handful was just right; enough to pique my curiosity, & create momentum for self-guided exploration.
It was a very productive visit. My son was well-behaved, & responded to the relaxed creative energy. I was even able to CAREFULLY let him sit/crawl on the floor away from the art, & the guards, while watchful, allowed it, which was appreciated b/c he needed a little outlet. I have to say, the guards here are really chill & cool. The ones at the PMA are MEAN! (Tip: guards are often art students themselves!) The DAM guards are at task, but not jerks, & that was so nice!
Didn't get to see it all, but I can't wait to return!
DAM is located in a residential section of Wilmington, with beautiful old homes. It is very walkable, safe, & quiet. It doesn't feel like you're in the city at all. If you have time, I recommend taking a stroll around the neighborhood before or after your visit, just to taste the architectural flavor. The sidewalks are all upkept, & it's so pleasant on a nice day!
Additionally, the grounds of the museum host a sculpture garden, & a maze installation, which is hands-on explorable, & fun for all ages. They have some benches & picnic tables around the lawns, too.
Parking is FREE & the lot is huge, so you are sure to have a space.
Go have FUN! read more