At the Michener

This morning I went to the James A. Michener Art Museum, in Doylestown, PA.


One of my favorite new pieces there, was a large, elaborate wooden door and frame, created by artist Phillip L. Powell.  (A photo can be seen here).  As the photo demonstrates, the door can apparently be opened, which I didn't even try to do.  I would have felt awfully foolish, opening this big door slowly, and then peering around on the opposite side, waiting for the inevitable arrival of the security guards.  Anyway, the door was painted with a subtle combination of red, orange and yellow paint, and was a pleasure to look at up close.  Apparently the doorway was originally created by the artist for a special exhibit, and afterwards wound up being installed at the artist's home in New Hope, Pa.  I suspect that his neighbors had a serious case of door-envy.  My neighbors envy me too, but it's a different kind of envy (ahem).  No further comment on that is available.


Pennsylvania Impressionism is a heavy influence on the works at the Michener Art Museum.  I enjoy reading of the history of this movement, while looking through the galleries.  Some of the Pennsylvania Impressionists became known around the country for their work, winning awards in many places, including in California.  Unfortunately for the Impressionists, the Armory Exhibit held in New York City, in the year 1913, brought the Modern Art movement to the attention of Americans for the first time, and Impressionism was quickly relegated to the backseat, in favor of this radical, new, and less representational art.  As the Michener Art Museum explains it, the Impressionistic style became viewed as being "quaint" and "backward looking", and lost popularity for many decades.  But a surge of local interest was generated again in the 1980's and 1990's, thanks no doubt in part to the Michener's recognition of the Impressionist artists and their talent.  Then along came that guy who carved the ornate door, giving everyone a jealousy of his hard wood.  Sheesh.