July 9, 2014

Hard-Hat Tour

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Baltimore Museum of Art, and to celebrate, the Museum is undergoing a huge renovation and restoration project. I was invited to a hard-hat tour and event launch this evening and I think great things are in store for visitors at the BMA, home of the incomparable Cone Collection, among others. IMG_1294One of the current, and major flaws of the Museum is that visitors do not enter the building through the grand staircase and front doors. For the past 20 years, they’ve been shuffled off to one of the side entrances. The building was designed by the American architect, John Russell Pope, a master of classical architecture including the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC, and to have his main feature go un-used has been a bone of contention.

The front doors open into a huge hall which signifies to visitors that this is a special place. IMG_1267In the renovation, the room has been returned to the classical look which Pope intended and the beautiful old chandeliers, which were removed to “clean up” the space, will be re-installed from storage.IMG_1288

There will be subtle lighting behind the rows of columns and the ceiling will reflect both the ambient natural light from the windows, and the light from the chandeliers.

To help control humidity and temperature in the galleries just to the left and right of the front doors, a small entry, fitting with the original design has been constructed. The entry also serves as a pause between the outside and inside spaces.

IMG_1285

The galleries on either side of the main hall are also being renovated, and the herringbone style floors that Pope had originally intended for installation have been laid 100 years later. At some point, concrete floors were installed, and then found not to be level. It took a diamond sander, several weeks and lots of money, to level the floors.

One of the clever ploys is to use the edge of the herringbone floors as a visual and physical stopping point from which to view the art. IMG_1278You can see here how they’re at an optimal distance from the eye to the art – just enough for both detail and perspective. IMG_1279

I was a little taken aback at the colour of one room – a Tiffany Blue/Green, but once the art is installed, it will be gorgeous. IMG_1275

The hall and galleries open onto a gorgeous interior courtyard, IMG_1262surrounded by a wide hallway, filled with sculpture, some of which you may recognize!IMG_1260

The walls are filled with ancient mosaics from the Middle East, Greece and Rome. IMG_1261IMG_1263

As I left the meeting and walked back to my car, I couldn’t help but think how this Museum has figured into my life – from art lessons as a child, to a stint doing fundraising for them, and now back to help celebrate the 100th year. And each time I’ve come to the Museum, I’ve been greeted by the massive lions in front,IMG_1296

and made a point to stop by and look at the beautiful spring house on the grounds, IMG_1290designed by Benjamin Latrobe, architect of the Capital in Washington, DC.

For more information on the Baltimore Museum of Art, please click here.

14 comments:

  1. similar situation with Boston MFA's old and very grand entrance. Went unused for years and years, now re-opened.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Every survey they do says to open the main entrance again.

      Delete
  2. Stunning. What a treasure the residents of Baltimore have to enjoy. A) do they build museums like that any more? B) The economy is rebounding for such a project to occur. C) Visitors should not miss the museum. D) Is the Handicapped accessible entrance as enchanting? Grand entrances were built without thought that not everyone can climb stairs with ease .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. a) no.
      b) they're raised $78 million in donations, so i guess the economy's back.
      c) i agree
      d) No, it's not enchanting, but it's nice.

      Delete
  3. Please alert us to the precise date for the opening. I haven't been to this treasure, but certainly intend to visit when it reopens. Thanks for sharing this with us.

    ReplyDelete
  4. My grandmother and I used to walk to the museum often, from her apartment building at 100 W. University parkway, and I remember admiring the Thinker outside the museum. Plus, as a kid, I loved climbing those steps...any thoughts of an escalator (kidding)?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tolly - there's a handicapped access entrance on the west side for the time-being, and then when it's all finished, it will be back on the east side.

      Delete
  5. One of my favorite museums -- I go over and over again just to see the Cézannes. Jo @ Let's Face the Music

    ReplyDelete
  6. my goodness + lucky to have this in Baltimore + wish them nothing but good luck. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I must visit sometime soon Meg. I love our classic Nelson Atkins Museum here in Kansas City. These monuments to art are true treasures!

    xoxo
    Karena
    The Arts by Karena

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for reading and commenting on Pigtown*Design. I read each and every comment and try to reply if I have your e-mail address.