Your DIA Favorites:
Judith and Maidservant with the Head of Holofernes
The artist's use of "shadow & light" takes my breath away! It makes me feel nervous, tense, and apprehensive for the women, because the picture draws me into their story. It's worth a thousand words.”
THE NUT GATHERERS
It was our favorite since my eldest daughter and I used to come to the museum and now for our other children. My daughter now has a child and I bring him to see the same painting in our home.”
Seascape: Sunset
It speaks to me and is very vibrant. Art like this is phonomenal and very inspiring, this is only found once in a lifetime for me. It's gorgeous and original...the detail is intricate and beautiful.”
SEXTON (FROM TRIPLE POINT OF WATER)
It's realistic,science-like, and I call it the tree of life.”
THE NUT GATHERERS
The realism of the image reminds me of a single moment captured in time, a very innocent, authentic and unassuming moment that a photograph is unlikely to capture in an authentic fashion.”
Seascape: Sunset
It moved me like a mountain that can't be moved.”
DETROIT INDUSTRY
I remember learning about this in school when I was a child. Every time I come to the DIA to see this, I always remember the good times I used to have when I was younger.”
SAINT JEROME IN HIS STUDY
A print of this work hangs in my office. It reminds me of many childhood trips to the DIA. I live in Grand Rapids now, and this serene, reflective masterpiece helps to focus my day.”
WISTERIA GATES
I love the iron gates because they're so intricate, as if they are lace. Yet they are made from iron, which is such a hard, cold substance. Their beauty always stops me in my tracks.”
The Nightmare
I love it because you feel like you are in the nightmare with the woman. Even though she is sleeping, you can almost feel her fear. The monster looks so real it made me scared just to look at it.”
Ernst Barlach, The Avenger
Of the dozens of works I could pick (of the many Expressionist works alone) I pick this because it's the one I've drawn most often. It's powerful and tragic, and there's no wrong angle to see it from.”
The antler chandelier
It is hidden high in a corner. Such an odd piece from a period that could be quite grotesque, presented alongside a papal reliquary. Base, primitive, and yet fine.”
Nocturne in Black and Gold, the Falling Rocket
Without showing much at all you can see exactly what is happening, and feel like you are right there in the moment. It's like a "Starry Night" for the industrial age (and an industrial town).”
The Lonely Pine
I always visit this painting when I visit the museum. The colors are brilliant and have such reality about them, but they are not too real. There is a great loneliness conveyed by blurring the hues.”
DETROIT INDUSTRY
There are so many things going on from motors to bodywork to assembly. I also like it because it's so big yet there's only one small completed car.”
Gothic Armor
The knights in shining armor are cool, and I love the guns. They look very strong. They also look very real.”
DETROIT INDUSTRY
It is as relevant today as it was when it was originally completed! It IS Detroit and tells quite a story.”
The White Veil
This painting saved me from intense homesickness for northern Michigan woods when I returned to Detroit to finish a college degree. At that time, the beauty of the DIA provided me with a spiritual "beauty fix."”
Alberto Giacometti, Man Crossing a Square on a Sunny Morning
He manages to put so much feeling into his sculptures. I get overwhelmed when I look at them sometimes.”
MELANCHOLY WOMAN
It was absolutely stunning to see this Picasso. I literally blurted out "Oh my God." ”
Eleonora of Toledo and Her Son
I love it because of her stunning physical beauty, her elaborate gown, and incredible jewels. I've looked at her over and over again for the past 50 years. Always seems like the first time.”
THE NUT GATHERERS
I grew up coming to the DIA and these 2 young girls felt so much like girls I would like. They are obviously best friends and at ease with the world.”
The Nightmare
The unsettling and erotic elements of this painting mix so perfectly that long after I had left the room, I found myself almost haunted by the image of the unconscious woman.”
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MELANCHOLY WOMAN
I liked the tones and organization of the colors and shades.”