 |
| Family Gallery at the Phillips Collection, Washington, D.C. |
In the Family Gallery at the
Phillips Collection museum of
art in Washington, D.C., families are invited to interact with and respond to the
art on the walls:
Look, Imagine, Play Together. It is a place where art can be fun and intriguing for all ages.
 |
| Still life paintings. |
In a group of paintings hung over the fireplace, we are
asked “What is a Still Life Painting?” We see
Gladiolus by Milton Avery,
Eggplants by Sarah Baker, and
Plums, Pears, Nuts and Knife by Georges Braque.
Then “Why might an artist want to paint them?” Finally, “What would you include
in your own still life? Why are these objects special to you?”
On a low table
in the corner of the room are pieces of paper and colored pencils that children
can use to make their own art.
 |
| The Peaceable Kingdom, Edward Hicks |
Around the room, paintings are hung at child height making them easily accessible. With
The Peaceable Kingdom by Edward Hicks, we are asked
several questions including “How many animals can you find?” and “What makes
this painting look realistic? What makes it look imaginary?”
 |
| Coin de la Rue Medard, Paris, Lois Mailou Jones |
When viewing
Coin de la Rue Medard, Paris by Lois Mailou
Jones, we are encouraged to use our five senses. “Find the two girls on the
balcony.
… What do they see? What do
they hear? What do they smell?” Perhaps one of the shops across the street is a bakery, and the girls smell the aroma of fresh bread. Even the smallest detail can tell us something about the scene and make the experience richer.
 |
| Deer in the Forest 1, Franz Marc |
And viewers are asked “What is your favorite color? How does it make you feel?” when looking at
Franz Marc’s painting
Deer in the Forest
1. The label for this painting tells us that yellow represents happiness and joy.
My visit to the Phillips Collection was during a school day so there
were no children present in the family gallery. But I can see how a visit would
make a trip to the museum memorable, and instill a curiosity about other
paintings throughout the building. Although the Family Gallery is intended for families with children, it can be enjoyed by everyone. It certainly was by me.
Each person came to Hockney’s studio for two or three days and sat in the same chair on a small platform while Hockney painted. All of the figures are full length and the canvas size is the same for each portrait. The backgrounds are simple–flat color and just a suggestion of shadow on the floor. What comes across in each painting is the distinct personality of the sitter.
The one still life was painted on a day when one of his subjects had to postpone her session. So Hockney set up a bench with pieces of fruit in the same spot in his studio and painted it instead. 
