Thursday, February 18, 2016

#artpost - Richard Estes

I don't know much about art but I know what I like and what I don't and sometimes that's all I need to worry about as I'm strolling, hand in hand, down one of the many aisles in one of the many museums that we visit from time to time.

Last weekend we stumbled across the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza‎ during a walk around Madrid and being a sucker for gift shops I remembered that I'd read in AD mag just how good this one was. In fact... As soon as I'd got in line with my handful of goodies I knew I was being a fool for not making us pay the small price and having a quick look around. So... We strategically placed our pile of things in a 'save for later' spot and headed for the ticket desk.

The museum is one of three in the golden triangle of art in Madrid, along with the Prado and Reina Sofia, and houses a full timeline of pieces that the latter don't. It's the second largest personal collection in the world and we saw everything from a royal portrait of Henry VIII to Picasso to Monet to Edward Hopper. 

Of everything in there, one set caught my eye and I was already desperate to see what prints they had in the shop on the way out... They were three pieces by a guy called Richard Estes, well known for his hyperrealism style and his paintings based around 1960's New York. The first picture and my favourite of the three, we managed to find a small copy in the gift shop which is currently hanging in our lounge with our NYC memorabilia sitting closely nearby...  Along with everything being so colourful and clean cut.. the paintings make you feel like you've caught New York on a Sunday morning just before the rest of the city wakes.

If you ever have the chance to visit Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza‎, do it... whether you're an art buff or not... The building itself and it's front patio are worth the wander over alone. Oh, and the gift shop of course!