Night at the Museum

I didn’t really know what to expect from the Brooklyn Museum; I had no idea what kind of art it contained. I think having no preconceived notions was a good thing. It prevented bias and promoted open-mindedness. I was pleasantly surprised when I walked into the Beaux-Arts court. I immediately began circling the room, trying to find my favorite painting, and indeed I did. “In Danger” by Mesdag caught my eye for its intense and captivating portrayal of the harshness of Dutch waters. It depicted a dark, ominous sky, and intimidating, choppy waves. Just barely visible is a sailboat, evidently in great peril, attempting to navigate the treacherous waters. This being one of my first impressions of the Brooklyn Museum, I was contented when I sat down to began the nights proceedings.

The rest of the night was equally as impressive. I forced myself to look at the paintings, see the artists’ emotions, opinions, and biases, rather than succumb to my short attention span. I’m quite thankful I did this. I realized the incredible significance of those paintings; I realized the power a painting can wield. In many cases, they were protests and commentaries, portraying sympathy for the subject. In Eastman Johnson’s “A Ride for Liberty-The Fugitive Slaves,” escaped slaves are depicted on horseback, the horse galloping wildly. It is clear they are riding for their lives and the lives of their children. This piece is powerful. Johnson conveys his sympathy for the slaves and his disapproval of the institution of slavery. Seeing these kinds of pieces made me understand the attraction of art and the profound effect it can have on its audience.

I came away from Night at the Museum feeling confident in my ability to perceive and analyze art. I also felt like I acquired an appreciation for the labor, both physical and mental, that goes into creating a meaningful painting. Night at the Museum allowed me to be impressed with myself and with the institution of art as a whole.