The National Museum of Women in the Arts Review

Introduction

Art is a vivid component of people’s lives as well as an integral part of any civilization. Museums serve as repositories and representatives of works of art, especially if they are conceptually oriented. Therefore, the museums themselves are also part of art that forms a unified message from many works of multiple artists. The purpose of this work is to review, describe, and analyze the National Museum of Women in the Arts.

General Information

The object of this study is The National Museum of Women in the Arts. It is located at “1250 New York Ave NW, Washington, DC” (“About”). This museum contains more than five thousand works of art, which include paintings, portraits, sketches, notes, and sculptures (“About”). Outside, the museum stands out against the background of neighboring buildings in that it looks conservatively having a more classical facade. The internal design of the building corresponds to the external surroundings. Corridors, rooms, chandeliers, and other structural elements in most have a classic look. White, black, red, orange, colors, and shades prevail in the color scheme of the museum.

The “Vibe” of the National Museum of Women in the Arts

The ambiance of this museum is entirely consistent with its primary purpose. According to official sources, it “brings recognition to the achievements of women artists of all periods and nationalities by exhibiting, preserving, acquiring, and researching art by women and by teaching the public about their accomplishments” (“About”). The museum is filled with feminine energy and shows the critical role of women in the history of art and humanity.

Art as a Driver for Science

During the study of video materials about the museum and looking at various local works of art, the author of this essay was most interested in the paintings of Maria Sibylla Merian. She combined her passion for the knowledge of wildlife and a love of art that resulted in unusual for her time style (“A Woman’s Touch: The National Museum of Women in the Arts”). Moreover, Maria Sibylla Merian laid the foundations of scientific illustration in biology (“A Woman’s Touch: The National Museum of Women in the Arts”). Her works are not only as detailed as possible but also filled with movement.

Maria Sibylla Merian Artwork Analysis

Maria Sibylla Merian adhered to two basic artistic concepts or directions. The first is naturalism, the essence of which is the depiction of realistic objects in their natural setting (“Naturalism”). The second is realism, which comes from naturalism but focuses on the most detailed, almost photographic capture of objects (“Realism”). Both of these concepts arose from the scientific principle of the thinking and perception of Maria Sibylla Merian.

Personal Thoughts and Conclusion

The research of this museum and local artworks evokes unique feelings and leads to serious thoughts. In the paradigm of the modern world, our perception of art is still being formed through the prism of the male artistic direction. One may wonder what trends and trends would prevail today if female influence began to be recognized and respected much earlier. It is also interesting how many are there unsolved or permanently lost female works of art. The significance of the National Museum of Women in the Arts is colossal and undeniable. The author believes that portraits and sculptures presented in the museum can inspire a new generation of female and male artists to revise the current norms of art and begin to create something new.

Works Cited

“About.” National Museum of Women in the Arts, 2020, Web.

“A Woman’s Touch: The National Museum of Women in the Arts.” YouTube, uploaded by Great Museums, 2010, Web.

“Naturalism.” Tate, n.d., 2020. Web.

“Realism.” Tate, n.d., Web. 2020.