I went on another art adventure this week, this time to the Minneapolis Institute of Art. It’s been ages since I’ve been, and I really need to go again later in the year. I want to revisit the Otto Dix War Portfolio before it leaves in August.
For some reason, this painting by Eugene-Louis Boudin caught my eye, so I went in for a closer look. It’s called Vacationers on the Beach at Trouville. It is also the first painting purchased by the MIA after it opened in 1915.
This Van Gogh. That’s all. This Van Gogh.
Also, apparently, the MIA thought I was in the market for a new writing desk because they kept offering up a variety of options:
In writing-related news (without a fancy new desk), I’ve been working on that second plotline for The Marigold Miracle. Some of the scenes are actually debriefing transcripts, so they’re dialogue-heavy with some sound effects. They’ve been challenging and fun to write.
Writing Wrongs 
Your excursion to the MIA looks like fun! Interesting that in Boudin’s world, people brought their dogs to the beach (and I think there’s at least one horse!). Also interesting that even a chilly looking gray day attracted quite a crowd. And interesting — to me at least — is the fact that there’s something about the light source in both the Boudin and the VanGogh: their shapes are practically inverses of one another.
Lucky you, to have such a great collection of art so close to you! I’ll be interested in your reaction to the Otto Dix… just opening up the exhibition page on the MIA website was a visceral shock. Brutal, but truthful, I suspect. To spend real time with it, though? Or to spend time with it and then walk out into a world where you can get a latte or think about making a roast beef for dinner… could be hard.
Glad to hear about your progress on TMM. I love the idea of these debriefing transcripts! What a great idea!
Also, in a coincidence I couldn’t ignore, I came across a mention of this book, The Great War and Modern Memory, that seems like something that might be of interest to you (if you haven’t already read it). Came out in 1975, but sounds like it still has relevance today.