I found myself staring for quite a long time at the miniature firearms display, which was an in-progress installation.
Gorgeous old pistols, tiny in size, in ornate cases made out of ivory- very very interesting to me. There was only one display case with them but man, was it cool to look at them. Never seen anything like them before.
Lots of tankards, made of silver and ivory carved with Christian designs and tableaux, they have many bronze statues, amazing ones of a crucified Christ, a smaller version of Rodin's "The Thinker", and at the bottom of the main gallery they have an actual, huge carved wood Lion figurehead from a British warship from around 1720.
There are some gorgeous original Picassos ("Seated Woman" and "Nude With Clasped Hands") , I saw only one Renoir ("the Concert" from 1918), they have a chess set that was designed by Salvador Dali (very freaky looking, conceived in 1964 and cast in bronze in 1971) as well as astounding paintings by Rubens- 2 must-sees are "The Massacre of the Innocents"- it'll take your breath away- and "Samson and Delilah". Fantin-Latour's "the Dance" is incredible, , Tony Scherman's 2004 "Ciao Gaia" is a powerful canvas with just a mushroom cloud in 3 hues (Black, Redd and Grey (melded with orange, pink and wax). And there are many many others for your viewing pleasure.
I also really liked the sculpture by Jean Arp ("Silence"). Very interesting as well was the "Hercules Supporting the Heavenly Sphere", a "Covered Cup", engraved in silver with amazing intricate designs, with gilded silver and carved boxwood. I just stared at it and said over and over: "that is so fucking cool". It is an awesome sculpture. I was just amazed that some human being designed and created that thing. You gotta take a look at it if you ever can. It's pedestal is at the perfect height to admire all of the engraved stuff on it. Sheer brilliant art man...It was made by David Heschler who lived from 1611-1667. Think Atlas as a paperweight in Galilleo's observatory...
Great place to visit if you're ever in Toronto Canada...
There's a bust and memorial for Mary Pickford that's within walking distance too.
Last edited by Johann; 03-17-2009 at 08:52 AM.
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