As we enter the gloomy days of winter, it’s nice to know about all the various inside activities available to us Raleigh-ites. One recent afternoon I took it upon myself to venture over to the North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA) to enjoy just such an afternoon adventure.
Kicking off my outing was a stop at the NCMA café, Iris, located in the museum’s impressive new building. The stark sleek white modern walls/floors/ceiling/furniture are all set off by an amazing wall-mounted oversized sculpture piece by Patrick Dougherty. The entire length of the café is covered in rustic circular branches and boughs from the surrounding area lending an extremely stylish and artistic backdrop for lunch.
The café menu has enough variety to please everyone including some vegetarian options. And it’s still small enough to maintain a fresh organic food style with an ever-changing menu. I ordered the cozy short rib potpie with salad and their “signature blend” blood orange hot tea. Followed up by a scoop of their homemade peppermint ice cream—which was the highlight of the meal! The food was delicious and the service was great. The restaurant certainly stands on its own as a nice lunch and dinner destination. It appeared to get very busy at lunchtime, so your best bet it is make a reservation ahead of time.
After a quick stop at the museum store to browse the jewelry, gifts, toys, books and more, I walked over to the second building to experience the new Rembrandt exhibition currently in the main gallery.
The Rembrandt experience
The Rembrandt exhibition is very thoughtfully curated and takes an interesting angle by not only focusing on the works by the master, but also including companion pieces done by his students or imitators from his time. The exhibition focuses on the idea of “Rembrandt or Not Rembrandt,” as many art historians and collectors over the years have continued to often be stumped by what pieces are, in fact, truly Rembrandt. As the artist fostered many students in his own workshop studio, often signing his own name to their pieces or completing just a portion of a work himself.
But when able to get up close with a true Rembrandt, one can see the intricate facial details, the approachable human qualities in his portraits, and amazing use of light and texture. Seeing these paintings in person is a truly special experience. Not being a huge Rembrandt fan myself, I was still completely captivated by his skill and ability to create these relatable human faces.
The NCMA also does an outstanding job of creating an educational experience for the visitor so one does not have to know much or even be a great appreciator of this style of art to get pulled into the history and controversy behind the authenticity debate. I highly recommend taking advantage of the audio guide that goes along with the exhibition. Available for purchase at the beginning of the gallery for $5 or for FREE by loading the museum’s Rembrandt audio guide mobile webpage onto your smart phone and listening to the audio guide sections that way through your own headphones.
And if you want even more history, in a small screening room outside of the gallery, visitors can sit and enjoy a 30 minute mini documentary created by UNC-TV about the personal life and history of Rembrandt with interview from the museum’s curators.
The exhibition runs from now until January 22, 2012 and costs $18 for adults, $15 for Seniors, Military, young adults, and groups and is FREE for small children and museums members. Learn more about museum memberships.
All in all, it was a wonderful and unique way to spend a cloudy afternoon. And if you go when the weather’s nice…you can finish your visit off with a fresh air stroll around the outdoor museums park as well. Looks like I will have to go back!