Minneapolis Institute of Art

We met David for lunch then enjoyed an afternoon at the Minneapolis Institute of Art.  I assumed we'd make a quick pass by the 8 art pieces we covered during the Art Adventure program at school last year (for which I'm the coordinator).  But once again, my kids surprised me.  "Why are we rushing Mom?  I want to look . . ."  And look we did.  I learned that the pieces I love, they hardly paused at and the pieces they wanted to linger in front of weren't my favorites.

Jacob likes sculpture because the figures portray physical strength.  Charlotte always wants to visit Portrait of Charlotte of France since they share a name and the portrait child died so young (some morbid fascination there).  Laurel and Mary love the tea sets and porcelain.  All of us like Frank, the Benin Leopard, stained glass, and Paul Klee who takes a line for a walk and sees where it takes him.

I could hardly wait to share a piece I found a few months ago and which has become one of my favorites: Journey of the Magi by Tissot.  I love this piece.  The hills and wisemen infused with light make it easy for me to imagine the hope and purpose of these men as they move forward despite dust and fatigue.  They are seeking the Christ child and nothing will stop them until they find Him.  I could sit in front of this piece and think for hours.  

But while my kids listened politely to my explanation why I liked this piece so much, they hardly gave it a passing glance.  Sigh - to each his own, I guess.  At least they liked being at the MIA . . . and want to return before the summer ends when we have more time to browse . . . and we have plans to visit St. Paul Cathedral so we can see more beautiful stained glass as well as see the spot where David proposed to me so many years ago.