Birmingham has a very nice art museum and I’ve visited there a couple of times since we moved here. I didn’t grow up being a big lover of art, nor did I study much about art history in school. In fact, I’m quite ignorant of what world renowned and real art is all about. I know what I enjoy looking at and can appreciate art for the beauty in it, but as far as perusing art with a keen and sophisticated eye, well, ha! that’s just not me. 🙂 I’m afraid I’m rather a clod when it comes to knowing and really appreciating art. 🙂
I was fortunate enough to visit the Louvre in Paris about 20 year ago and saw the Mona Lisa in person (it’s really small by the way!), as well as a couple of the famous art museums in Florence and even gazed at the well-known statue of David by Michelangelo in the Uffizi Gallery oops, wrong museum, it’s actually the Galleria dell’Accademia, which was quite exciting for this Southern girl. I actually went to both museums while I was in Florence, but it has been a long time, so the memory betrayed me. 
(Dale Chihuly, well-known glass artist)
So, when I saw that our art museum was hosting a special exhibit called Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness, it sounded like a good outing for me and my hubby. Touring from Yale University, it was really fantastic to see all that history of America in front of us. We got there just a few days before it left, so I’m glad we got to see it. Chocked full of interesting Americana artifacts, it was a wonderful history lesson and we both enjoyed it so much. Unfortunately, they didn’t allow pics in the exhibit, so you’ll have to look at the ones I was allowed to take in the rest of the museum.
Our museum has one of the largest collection of Wedgewood of any outside England, in the world, from what I read, with over 1,400 pieces. 
This is a Wedgwood fireplace mantel, which was really spectacular.
And a collage of just a portion of the Wedgwood on display. Beautiful blue, this is what we mostly think of when Wedgwood is mentioned, but there were several other colors too. 
I didn’t take notes on everything I photographed, but just took pics of things I thought were unusually pretty. 
This is black basalt ware which is also Wedgwood too.
I really love how striking they are.
And I think this was a Wedgwood piece too.
In the Woodlands area, this is a collage of Native American art and artifacts.
Beautiful old pottery from the American Art area.
These were all just beautiful pieces on display.
This was a marble bust, can’t remember who it is.
From the American history area. I love seeing all the old furniture and imagining how it was to live during that time period.
Silver and silver-plated service that graced some fancy tables.
The old wood in these furniture pieces is just spectacular.
Now, this is an artist I do know about:Â Frederic Remington’s bronze sculpture was beautiful.
This was a lion from an old Carousel. 
More furniture.
The paintings are just amazing. I remember from visiting the Louvre how wonderfully detailed these Old World Masters paintings are. I don’t remember how old these are, but the detail just astounds me. What talent!
Almost looks like a photograph.
Some beautiful old stain glass windows, these probably came from a church.
Thought this was interesting, a pair of mid-1800’s lawn chairs. They could be current today. 
Sculpture of John the Baptist.
More beautiful paintings.
This one was in the Italian art section. Gorgeous, I saw so many beautiful pieces of art when I visited Italy 20 years ago too.
And this blue and white tile was from Belgium.
And now we come to the Modern art gallery. I have to tell you that I just don’t really “get” Modern art. See, told you I’m a clod. 🙂 I didn’t see the artist or tag on this to tell about it, but what do you think? Like it? It’s probably called “big green ball“, don’t you think? 
I did like the colors in the painting beyond on the wall. This is pretty and I can see why it’s hanging here, I think. 
Hummm, this is wood, sort of sculptural. I guess I just don’t appreciate Modern art all that much.
This one I took a pic of the artist name, who is from Tuscaloosa and I think it’s pretty cool looking. See below for the name of the piece.
And this, I get, but doesn’t that dog look rather like he’s speaking to the camera, saying “why on earth are you doing this to me?” 🙂
OK, I’ll stop now.
Now you know how unsophisticated I really am!  Ha! Ha!
I enjoyed the photos Rhoda and so very happy you were able to photograph some of the exhibits.
J and I would have loved to visit the museum.
Wonderful exhibit. I am a great fan of the Chihuly glass work that is second picture. While visiting Pittsburgh, PA, a couple of years ago, we saw a huge exhibit of his. The heading of my blog is a picture from that exhibit. It draws tp me or as a customer of mine used to say, “it speaks to my heart”.
When it comes to an era of art, I love the Impressionists. Something so serene & calming about it. My DD#2 was an art history major. She loves living in DC now because of all the museums & galleries that she has at her front door. Beckie in Brentwood, TN
Southern States sound fascinating, from great history, talented decorators to fantastic recipes. I think we have to take a trip south, but not to Florida this time.
Thanks for sharing. I grabbed your button for our blog, hope it’s ok.
I love visiting museums! What wonderful pics you took! Thanks for sharing!
You are definitely not a “clod”. My friend and I went to the Art Institute here in Chicago one afternoon. There was an exhibit of “Modern Art”, the Modern part of one exhibit was bags of kitty litter around the perimeter of the room. Now that I’ll NEVER understand!
Thanks for taking us along to visit this exhibit. Great! ~ Sarah
Fabulous exhibit. I especially liked the swan pitcher, the painting with the dahlias and the gorgeous wood pieces. Thanks for the armchair tour.
I remember being really shocked at how small the Mona Lisa was. That, and the gallery was filled with about 100 Japanese tourists all talking very loudly and taking photos. The only photo I have is very blurry and is partially obscured by a man with a red beard. Don’t know him. 😉
LOVE the beautiful old dresses!!!
Now, don’t sell yourself short by calling yourself a
“clod”. Art shouldn’t have a mystery about it…just go and enjoy it and if you choose, learn more about something because you are curious.
I grew up going to the Yale Art Gallery. What amazes me now was it was free to the public. As a teenager,I would be running errands in New Haven and I would pop in, by myself, and go from floor to floor. What a wonderful opportunity I had and I am grateful for the beautiful art I got to see.
You took the time to go to the museum. Unfortunately, too many people think art is “beyond them” and don’t realize that it is alright to like or dislike certain pieces. Sometimes, when you learn about the evolution of modern art, you can appreciate the creativity and new thinking that the artist used to create it. Remember, the Impressionists were thought of as being quite bold and were not met with glowing reviews. Their style of painting was very new and controversial. Many modern pieces cause me to stop and look and sometimes question whether they should be called, “art”, but I appreciate the creative process. I may not like the piece but that’s alright. There is a museum at Yale of British art and one exhibit had butterflies stuck into the paint and dirty ashtrays filled with cigarette butts as part of a piece. Now, to me, that isn’t art but the artist was moved by some creative spark to create it. I wouldn’t pay a nickle for it, nor would I want it in my home, but to each his own.
Thanks for the memories!
Hi Rhoda, I don’t know where to begin, so much to see!! I am fascinated by art. I can appreciate it in all forms. You are not a clod, I think you have an appreciation of art and that is where it all begins. You know what is beautiful to your eye and that is what truely matters. It is all subjective anyway. I am in love with Wedgwood. One of the pieces I am going to have in my someday life is a piece of the black and white,isn’t it amazing? I buy Wedgwood in the classic blue every year in the form of an ornament for my son and his wife. I got to see the Chihuly exhibition at the De Young in San Francisco. I think I could have stayed in that one exhibit all day, truly amazing. This was a fun post for me to see, thank you for doing it, Kathysue
The museum is a hidden gem most Birmingham residents don’t visit often enough.
Were you living here when they took down Vulcan and his head was displayed in the courtyard after it was repaired? Three generations of my Bham born and raised family went to see.
fyi, David is not at the Uffizi. He is at the Galleria dell’Accademia, also in Florence. There is a statue of David outside the Uffizi in front of the Palazzo Vecchio, where the original stood until 1873.
I’m not a big fan of modern art either. Your pictures were really good and I enjoyed the tour. I also saw the Mona Lisa in Paris, but was not that impressed. I loved the statue of David in Florence. Wasn’t it magnificent? The Cistine Chapel was gorgeous, as well. Love & blessings from NC!
Rhoda, you must have been drooling (figuratively, of course) with the furniture and accessories! I am not a huge ‘artsy’ person but like you I like what I like. Thanks for sharing your day!
hugs
Barb
Thanks for the tour, Rhoda. I love museums and art galleries. One of my favorite outings with my youngest daughter is to head into DC and go to the various art galleries we have. The last time I was at Williamsburg, we toured the museum there, and the clothing and furniture exhibits were incredible!
I have never seen a Wedgewood mantelpiece…and look at it! So ornate and HUGE. Amazing detail. Eddie Ross brought his basalt ware to the Jersey Shore area this weekend. 🙂 It was nice to meet him in person.
Rhoda…how interesting. I am not very up on art either and enjoyed seeing a little through your eyes and by the way…I don’t get modern art either!
I love the blue and white tile piece from Belgium and the paintings.
Connie