Birmingham Museum Of Art To Feature Paintings By Dutch Masters
The Birmingham Museum of Art opens a new exhibit Saturday that features works of well-known Dutch and Flemish masters. The exhibition, called “Small Treasures,” includes paintings by Rembrandt, Vermeer and their contemporaries. These artists are often known for large canvases, but these paintings are small.
“We have two paintings by Rembrandt and two paintings by Vermeer,” said Robert Schindler, the museum’s curator of European art. “In terms of quality and the level of artistic skill that is on display here, [it] is just extraordinary. It does not get any better than this.”
Many of the paintings are from private collections that will be on public display for the first time.
Gail Andrews, director of the BMA, says this is the first exhibition at the museum devoted exclusively to small Dutch and Flemish figural painting. Though the paintings are on a small scale, she says they not only convey strong emotions but a sense of what 17th-century life was like.
“We see minute details that really paint the portrait of a time, a culture, and a moment. In so much of art, we look for that moment to become alive again for us,” said Andrews.
Andrews says Rembrandt and Vermeer were not painting self-portraits just for themselves but for their families so the works would be passed down for the next generation.
The exhibition runs January 31 through April 26.
Trump downplays the role of far-right activist in firings of NSC staff
President Trump is downplaying reports that far-right provocateur Laura Loomer influenced National Security Council firings on Thursday.
Canada trucker protest organizers found guilty of mischief
The February 2022 protests, dubbed the Freedom Convoy, were sparked by a Canadian government vaccine mandate for truck drivers crossing the U.S.-Canada border.
South Korea’s president removed from office over ill-fated declaration of martial law
South Korea's Constitutional Court removed impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol from office on Friday, ending his tumultuous presidency and setting up an election to replace him.
Alabama lawmakers advance proposed ban on cellphones in school
A growing number of states are moving to ban or restrict cellphones in schools. The push has been fueled by concerns that phones are a distraction in the classroom and that screen time and social media have a negative impact on mental health.
19 states sue over Trump’s voting executive order, arguing it’s unconstitutional
The lawsuit is the fourth legal challenge against Trump's executive order on voting. The attorneys general argue the order is "an unconstitutional attempt to seize control of elections."
Judge considers ‘contempt’ after Trump officials stonewall ruling on migrant removal flights
U.S. District Judge James Boasberg Thursday pushed, once again, the Justice Department to explain its use of the Alien Enemies Act and provide key details and the timeline of the flights.
