September 19, 2013 Stephen Boydstun & Walter Klingler visit the Hirshorn Museum

We checked our bags at the hotel and walked over to the Hirshorn Museum, which we never previously visited.

Torso of a Young Man
by Constantin Brancusi

Nude on a
Red Background
by Fernand Leger

Last Conversation Piece
by Juan Munoz

In the museum's early stages, the secretary of the Smithsonian told the planning committee that the building should be"controversial in every way" so that it would be fit to house contemporary works of art.  It is shaped like a not quite symmetrical 4 story doughnut on legs.  

Central plaza and
fountain
of the museum

Looking through
Brushstroke
by
Roy Lichtenstein

The museum's

benefactor, Joseph H. Hirshhorn,

was an "eccentric, flamboyant immigrant from Latvia" who amassed a collection of 6,000 pieces of contemporary art.  The museum opened in 1974.  Today it consists of 3,000 pieces of sculpture, 4,000 drawings and photographs, and approximately 5,000 paintings.  

Reclining Figure
by Barbara Hepworth

Winter Solstice No. 2
by Seymour Lipton

Red Cascade 1954
by Alexander Calder

Portrait of Andy Warhol
by Julian Schnabel

Eros, Inside Eros
by Arman
  

Boccioni's Fist -
Lines of Force II
by Giacomo Balla

Ancient Household
by David Smith

Woman and Little Girl in
Front of the Sun
by Joan Miro

In addition to the indoor space, the museum features a sculpture garden as well as a plaza in the center of the building which has on outdoor cafe in the summer months.

For Gordon Bunshaft by Dan Graham

Gordon Bunshaft was a leading proponent of modern style.   While being a partner at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, he designed the Hirshhorn Museum. 

Stephen sitting in
For Gordon Bunshaft by Dan Graham

Stephen took a particular liking for the sculpture honoring Bunshaft as you can see from these images taken of the installation.

Stephen in
For Gordon Bunshaft by Dan Graham

Stephen in
For Gordon Bunshaft by Dan Graham

Needless to say the museum and the sculpture gardens are a "must see" for any lover of modern art.

Walter Klingler
giving a thunbs-up
to the female butt
in Self-Portrait with
Model At Bergamo
by Giamoco Mazu

Sanctuary
by Gerhard Richter

Gyrostasis
by
Robert Smithson

Geometric Mouse Var. 1
by
Claus Oldenburg

The Great Warrior of
Montauban
by
Emile-Antoine Bourdelle

Under the Bridges of Paris
by Max Ernst

Walter was not quite sure what it was saying, but he was positive the Max Ernst was speaking to him.  

Sphere No. 6
(Sphere within a Sphere)
by Arnaldo Pomodoro

We bid a fond farewell, until next time, passing the joyous Horse and Rider.

Horse and Rider
by Marino Marini

As we head back to the hotel to retrieve our luggage and metro to Union Station for our trip home, we spy a "stikman" robot in the streets of Washington, D.C.

stikman robot
by stikman