Life in Color at the San Antonio Museum of Art

Purple Robe and Anemones, 1937

The San Antonio Museum of Art (SAMA) is hosting a special exhibition of Henri Matisse through September 7.  Life in Color is a collection on loan from the Baltimore Museum of Art.  There are nearly fifty paintings and sculptures, shown alongside thirty prints and drawings.  All of the artwork is a part of the Cone Collection, created by sisters Dr. Claribel and Etta Cone.  SAMA has a huge special exhibition space & the walls were painted to accent the artwork, defining the space. The colors and patterns in the paintings were incredible, from the still life arrangements to the figurative works.  I've never seen so much of the Matisse's art in one place!  It was inspiring.

Steven and I went to see the show last Friday during the museum's 'art pARTy'.  The monthly art and music party was in the sculpture garden.  On the menu were asian pear mojitos, vegetarian eggrolls, chicken skewers & fortune cookies.  It was about a hundred degrees outside, so after a little live music and food, we went to see the art.

   

 Ballet Dancer Seated on a Stool, 1927,  my favorite from the exhibition.  

In the 70's, the Lone Star Brewery Complex was purchased and converted to house the museum's collection.  From ancient Egypt to contemporary art, the museum's holdings are incredible.  Frank Stella's Double Scramble, 1968, was steps from an Abraham Van Beyeren, painted in the 1660's.  Some other highlights for me was seeing the work of Kara Walker, Faith Ringgold, Wayne Thiebaud, Diego Rivera, and a hyperrealistic painting by Claudio Bravo.  I'm looking forward to going back and spending time in the Ancient Mediterranean section; SAMA has one of the largest collections of ancient Egyptian, Near Eastern, Greek and Roman art in the U.S.

Frank Stella, Double Scramble, 1968

Detail, Abraham Van Beyeren, A Banquet Still Life with Roses, c. 1665