Month: April 2020

Chrysler Art Museum

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The Chrysler Art Museum begins on the grounds with fascinating sculptures,

extending to a garden in memory of those lost in conflict,

till arrival at the main entrance.

What a spectacular spot.

The foyer is massed with flags and greenery and on this day dancers are performing.

There are areas for children to learn and explore.

The Museum’s art date back to the origins of mankind. In the Egyptian area the next to the sarcophagus is a short and interesting video about Egyptian embalming and their thoughts regarding afterlife. Note the quality of the sarcophagus and the etchings in the stone. This is a rare find.

Next stop is Greek and Roman statutes. Chrysler certainly had an eye for art with the quality works he selected.

On to African Art..

Then to Silk Road with a map of the location and Chinese Porcelains indigenous to the era and area..

The second floor collection houses European and American Art from the 12th to the 21st century. There also is a changing photography exhibit and focus area. Here’s a peek at some of the second floor treasures.

  • Tapestries
  • Prominents of the Era


Some comic relief with Kehinde Wiley 20th century painting, St. Andrew, 1977, between two religious works of centuries prior.

Dutch and Flemish Masters

With a little Italian added to the mix,

as well as French..

Henri Matisse, painter and sculptor. “What I dream of is an art of balance.”

Tomorrow: Finishing the tour in America.

April Fool’s Day: Origins

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Ha! Ha! Today’s blog was supposed to be about the Chrysler Museum. April Fool..

What is this day all about and why do we celebrate?????

April Fool’s Day is one of folly, pranks, and overall fun. Reading Auntie Google there is mixed reasons for the Day, however, here’s what she says.

The origins date back to 1582 when the Julian calendar was being switched to the Gregorian calendar. The Julian calendar, proposed by Julius Cesar, was used to aid mathematicians and astrologers, whereas the Gregorian calendar, named for Pope Gregory XIII, is a solar calendar based on 12 months and 365 days. All world countries use this calendar except Afghanistan, Iran, Ethiopia, and Nepal.

Under the Julian calendar New Years was celebrated and began between March 25 and April 1. There was confusion regarding this change, thus April 1 became, “Fool’s Errand Day.”

In another citation all this is stated as malarkey with historians saying actual origins are impossible to ascertain. These folks say April Fool’s Day is an ancient pagan tradition attributed to the beginning of spring.

And here are a few quotes from memorable folks on fools:

“The greatest lesson in life is to know that even fools are right sometimes.” Winston Churchill

“Better a witty fool than a foolish wit.” William Shakespeare

“Wise men don’t need advice. Fools won’t take it.” Benjamin Franklin

“Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on you.” Virginia Foxx

“A mother takes twenty years to make a man of her boy, and another woman makes a fool of him in twenty minutes.” Robert Frost

“The trouble with practical jokes is that very often they get elected.” Will Rogers

Wouldn’t want to be Jim.

And by the way… April Fools’ Day is plural, but the common spelling is technically accepted, April Fool’s Day.

My favorite quote,

Plato, “Even the gods have jokes.“