art & life imitating each other

"Life imitates art far more than art imitates Life." --Oscar Wilde

I can't seem to figure out my opinion on this matter. I used to have the same sentiments as Meg Ryan's character in You've Got Mail -- "So much of what I see reminds me of something I read in a book, when shouldn't it be the other way around?" But lately, I'm pleased to announce I don't feel that way as much anymore.

Instead of moping around yesterday because Tara Lynne had to cancel her trip to visit me, the day was instead filled with all things good: farmers' market in the morning, French cafe for afternoon coffee, library, 2 hours at a wonderful park and gorgeous spring weather...and finally, my first visit to the art museum here.

There were several reasons why I enjoyed the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art so much: the grounds are beautiful, the collections much better than I thought they'd be, the low cost for admission (free) and the fact I can go any time I want since I'm not just here on vacation.

And now I will tell you why art imitates life...illustrated in a few selections from the European exhibit:

Pisarro's Market at Pontoise -- because I just went to the market.

Cassat's At the Theater -- because I just went to my first opera


The Approaching Storm -- because I recently took these photos from my balcony the other night

Piazza del Popolo, Rome -- PRECISELY where my book is taking place right now...and I was having difficulty picturing it, thank you Giovanni Paolo Panini for painting this in 1741 for me. =)

And the best example...

Ingres's Portrait of the Sculptor Paul Lemoyne -- because it's used on the cover of the previously-mentioned book I'm currently reading.


Here's my proof: I bought this book in New York at the Heath Ledger bookstore (I call it that because Whitney talked to him there in October). Little did I know that the cover was taken from a painting hanging in a museum in my town! I love stuff like this.

As if I needed more reason to love the museum, look at the quotes on the outside of the building (by one of my favorite authors, Victor Hugo, I might add):

"The soul has greater need of the ideal than of the real. It is by the real that we exist. It is by the ideal that we live."

Well said, Victor.