This museum is in Clinton, MA - another one of those towns that you wouldn't expect to house a museum like this. Clinton is an old mill town, like so many in New England, that is not really a terrific town right now. Right across the street from this museum is a lovely wide common, which was surrounded by very old beautiful trees and some beautiful examples of houses - from about the 1700's thru about 1909 - I'll go back in better weather and take pictures.
This is the house that the museum is in - this photo is from the 1800's some time - I didn't have a chance to get the history of the house.
This is a more current photo of the front. I'm used to walking into houses like this and seeing a front stair case, with a study on one side and a dining room on the other, with the kitchen in the back. That's what I expected to see when we walked in today and instead we saw.....
this amazing inside - wow - it was so striking! There is a huge extension off the back of the building - all steel and glass.
We didn't get to spend too much time there but it looks like an absolutely astounding collection of Russian icons - gorgeous works of art from as far back as the 1500's.
I snuck in these two photos - they didn't say that you couldn't take pictures but the guard was glaring at me...so I stopped.
They also had a lovely little gift shop, you can see me peering into this case holding modern icons - trying to decide if DH's aunt would like anything from this case.
By the time we got out of the museum, the sun was starting to come out so we walked around the common and looked at the monuments and fountain, then drove to a bookstore and whiled away another hour or so before coming home to sit in front of the file.
Today was a relaxing day - a good day
13 comments:
It sounds like a perfect Saturday to me.
I love icons. This museum sounds fabulous. I have never seen an icon with raised work on it. Usually just flat. Sounds like a good day for you for sure.
This is an amazing museum! The contrast between the outside and inside is breathtaking! Too bad you didn't get more time to visit. You'll have to go again later.
Your last photo looks just like a watercolor!
Fantastic!!!! I ADORE Icons...and have some on my walls ~ (Alas, no jeweled ones though..... a-ha-ha!)
Actually, I am in love with most things Russian...Russian food, Russian History, Russian Literature, Russian Operas (next to Wagner, Tchaikovsky's are my favorites)....
The Museum interior is such a surprise! Wonderful! Don't you love *exploring* on a dark, dreary day and coming across something unexpected!
I hope you do return on a milder day...and see what other treasures the Museum contains!
Your evening by the fire with your DH was the ideal way to end the day!
Dosvedanya - for now!
Love,
♥ Robin ♥
You've had a couple nice museum visits lately. Sometimes they will let you take pictures inside if you dont use the flash. Thanks for sharing these photos. My neck has been so bad I havent been around as much as I would like or drawing either.
the interior of this place is so striking compared to the exterior - i love icons and would really enjoy visiting this museum.
sounds like a really good day mim. i had the same kind of saturday minus the snow and russian icons (so cool). i do hope you meant sitting in front of the fire and not file, as in cabinet and taxes!
What a find! Love all that gold and jewels. I'd like that visit too. Thanks for sharing some of the history.
I'll bet you did a double take when walking into that super contemporary interior.
Especially if there'd been wine served with lunch.
:-)
Very interesting museum.
That last photo does look like a painting. Makes me think pastels.
i'm embarrassed to say i'm not an icon and not a russian art patron. i think i wore out my castle and museum welcome traveling through germany and europe for a couple of years. but i love that you went and i'm astonished by the interior. wow.
that last photo is definitely a pastel: how soothing.
mim, do you know the glass flower museum in harvard square. i forget the name, but it is unbelievably exquisite. i think you and DH would love it
i thought of you this weekend xoxo
I love the colors and richness in icons. I would love to see that museum. It sounds like a perfectly wonderful day to me. :) xox Pam
How interesting and unusual. I always plan to get to some museums in the summer time but never seem to get there! Okay- this summer I really will do it. Sending you lotsa hugs across the pond.
I love finding little treasures like this gorgeous museum in unexpected places! What a lovely place. And those Russian icons - beautiful. It sounds like you had a wonderful day. I'm glad.
xoxoxo
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