The Abello Collection: A Modern Taste for European Masters at the Meadows Museum, Dallas

MEADOWS MUSEUM
Dallas, Texas

The Travelling Toe and friend braved the frenzied traffic of the Dallas freeway system and visited the current exhibit at the Meadows Museum.  The Meadows is the exclusive venue in the United States for this exhibit.  It is from a major private collection from Spain, the Abello family. The collection is comprised of works by many of the greatest Spanish artists through the ages, ranging from Gothic to modern to contemporary art spanning over 500 years. There are 105 paintings and drawings and 1 sculpture to view and enjoy.  

The types of art work exhibited are divided into these galleries :

                                                       Gothic and Renaissance Painting

                                                       Early Naturalism and Baroque Painting

                                                       The Age of Enlightenment 

                                                       Romanticism and Realism

                                                      Modern and Contemporary


The Travelling Toe must admit that the modern and contemporary works were not as enjoyable as several other paintings that we viewed.  But each person decides what is speaking to them and how much they enjoy viewing it - which is what makes art so interesting and intriguing. 

In the gallery devoted to The Age of Enlightenment, are several lovely paintings but one in particular was of interest to the Travelling Toe.  It was painted by Antonio Joli De Dipi   (1700-1777), titled:  

                 View of the Royal Palace of Aranjuez from the Northeast with 
                  King Ferdinand VI of Spain and Queen Maria Barbara of Braganca 

Antonio Joli De Dipi
(this copy does not do it justice)

A modern piece that was fascinating is a tableau  made of 11 miniature pictures that are pencil drawings on the back of matchboxes.  Each drawing is about 2 1/4 X 11/2 inches.  The majority of the drawings are by Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), but there are two by Renoir, one by Modigliani along with several other noted artists of the period.

Pablo Picasso
11 Miniature Drawings
(this copy does do it justice)

This exhibit is on through August 2nd.  If this would interest you, The Travelling Toe would suggest that you attend during the day or in off hours of that horrible gridlock traffic .   The admission fee is $8.00 for an senior adult.  Also as you tour the exhibit, there are convenient places to sit, rest your weary toes and absorb the beauty around you.   
Go - enjoy! 

The Abello Collection

Meadows Museum