National Gallery of Ireland: Paintings from Poland: Symbolism to Modern Art (1880-1939)

Ok I had some time to kill today and I hadn't been to the National Gallery in around a year, so I took the afternoon off and paid a visit. They have an exbo on at the moment on Polish art pieces from the nineteenth to the mid twentieth century. Unfortunately it is ending on the 27th, so if you are planning on going to see it, make sure you go before Sunday. There are two amazing pieces which struck out for me-naturally i don't remember the names or the artists!.

The first piece, is from the first part of the exbo and is that of a ship on the ocean, however there is a vibrancy and fantasical colours within the painting that makes it incredibly appealing to the eyes. Mixes of greens & dark blues of the sea & the sky, along with the lighter colours of the stars, with reds in the foreground near the ship, which is sailing on this rough sea, but which leaves a wash of fantasy colours-reds, blues, greens, golds. The whole piece melds together and is truely a sight to behold. What I loved about the piece is that it is some 10ft by 10ft and makes a huge impression in the room it was in. I loved the colours and I loved the metaphors of sailing on the ocean of life which it was inevitably aiming to produce by using the ocean and a ship.

The second piece is again from the first part of the exbo, is 15ft, if not taller because my sense of proportion is shockingly bad! This piece is of a women standing upright whilst looking seductively at the viewer. She is dressed in the costume of a peacock and it commands a certain respect from the viewer. Dressed in hues of blues and greens in the main part of the piece, she has a head piece which gives her costume the final touches for perfectness.

Anyway here's the blurb on the website. If y'all get a chance to go before Sunday go!. Its free so you have no excuse!.....

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Paintings from Poland: Symbolism to Modern Art (1880-1939)

UNTIL 27 JANUARY 2008 This exhibition of 74 paintings provides a rare opportunity for visitors to see some of the most important works of an extraordinarily creative artistic culture in a period of national upheaval. A bilingual audio tour narrated by Fiona Shaw and Krystyna Czubówna is available free of charge from the Exhibition Desk in the Millennium Wing. An illustrated bilingual catalogue is available, price €25. Polish language tours take place on Sundays at 4.00pm (assemble at exhibition desk). Advance booking is not required. Millennium Wing Admission free Sponsored by AIB Group

Source: National Gallery of Ireland.