While it is somewhat fashionable to poo-poo the Art Gallery of Ontario's Thomson Collection-- Ken Thomson was largely responsible for funding the AGO's renovation, and his extensive collection of European and Canadian Art was donated to the gallery after his death-- after doing a fair bit of research on it for a paper, I can honestly say I am a big fan. The European Collection in particular is home to some very eccentric sculptural gems-- the sorts of things that would belong to a flamboyant uncle with black humour who travels a lot. The above images are some of my favourites. They are courtesy of the AGO's Art of the Day tumblr page.
From Top:
Rosary Pendant: Death Mask and Skull Eaten by Worms and Lizards
Northern France or Southern Netherlands
1500-1525
ivory, polychrome
Allegory of Youth and Death
German (Augsburg or Munich)
early 17th century
ivory, 7.3 x 22.6 x 9.4 cm
Death Triumphant
German (Bavaria?)
around 1670
lindenwood, 24.0 x 13.5 x 7.5 cm
Skull Pendant with Entombed Skeleton
British or Dutch
17th century
gold, enamel, diamonds, 1.4 x 1.2 x 3.4 cm
4 comments:
i *LOVE* the euro thompson collection. i could spend my whole AGO visit ogling these tiny treasures. the ship models are incredible as well.
Not to mention the snuff bottles! I've loved Chinese snuff bottles, ever since I was a kid at the ROM!
eccentric uncle is an apt description!
something about the images reminds me of Art Di Lella's work (www.sculpturemoulds.blogspot.com)
Hmmm....yes, I definitely see the connection there, Barbara. Especially in the third image.
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