Visual Entertainment from Near and Far
November 1982, Den Haag
How about these flowers? they look almost dangerous! Yesterday Rosie and I went to the Gemente to look at the Wedgewood China collection – interesting. But we “found” another exhibit of Woody Van Amen – modern, collage type and most innovative and interesting. He is a young Dutchman who has traveled a lot – uses maps, photos, neon lites, etc!
Love, Va
Sunflowers, 1887
Metropolitan Museum of Art
November 1982
I am now watching the news on BBCI-TV! Yesterday, my first “watching” was the Queen opening parliament, in all her jewels and satins – horses and gold carriage. Great! Today was damp and dark but walking to the market (street) on Stevinstraat through the park was rather nice. Not cold.
Love to you, Va
A Woman with Chrysanthemums, 1865
Metropolitan Museum of Art
November 1982
This is rather like Van Gogh, no? A bit lighter. We took the Werdyks to the Gemente and to the Mondrians (among many others) and I am again so impressed with his middle years – the purple tree, landscape, etc. I suppose an artist who lives 90 years is bound to change styles many times. Good to talk to you yesterday. Is it cold? We are still warm but windy.
Love, Va
Apple Tree in Bloom, 1873
Metropolitan Museum of Art
November 1981, Washington DC
We are going to Harbison’s for dinner again tonight, this time with Susan down from Boston and the Vergaras and Mary Myers. Yesterday we went to State Dept for Nyle Brady’s swearing in to AID. It was interesting – with champagne, yet – at 1 pm. Last night we were out to the Ter Vrugt’s to a great dinner with some old IITAers, plus others. I went to the new part of art gallery to the Rodin exhibit (very impressive) and saw this Mondrian and some nice Picassos also. Maybe I’ll got back. I found the Air and Space museum less interesting. Hope all is ok with you.
Love, Va
No 2563 Lozenge in Red, Yellow, and Blue c 1925
National Gallery of Art, Washington
May 1983
Isn’t this a nice painting? We saw the original yesterday at the K. M. Museum. It is gorgeous! Our “outing” was very nice with an all aft. dinner in an old inn – 6 courses. Today I took the ladies to Keukenhof – cold but beautiful. Jeanette Kang will spend Wednesday with me. B and I will take off on Sat on the boat trip up the Rhine, Naimegan to Basil. B needs a rest from the office. Tonight is the diner in Voorschaten for everyone. Wish you were here.
Love, Va
A Family in an orchard; Rijksmuseum Kroller Muller, Otterlo, Holland
January, 1984
Gunta and I spent all day yesterday at the museum – isn’t this a lovely painting? I much prefer his middle period! Bill played tennis yesterday and won. Haworths are leaving today – but he will continue to work part time. I just finished “Max”. It’s very good. I’m hooked on the snooker tournaments on BBC-TV. They are fascinating and I can sew or needlepoint as well as watch. Our snow is almost all gone but we may get more. I’ve got to go buy fruit and stuff – good exercise!
Love to you, Va
Boerdenij bij Duivendrecht c. 1916
July, 1983
I’m off (by train) to meet Jean and Jane at Schipol. It is hot these days – no rain in sight. We’re leaving Thursday for Strasburg, Fri eve on boat for Rotterdam. Wish you were going to be with us.
Love, Va
View at Arles with Irises, 1888
October 1973
Bill called from Kennedy last night just before he left for London and Lagos. We think you may not need a physical now if you have no basic complaints?? For a change, the sun is shining and we have a lovely fall day. Tom is out with his gang building a mud fort, Jane is home with a cold, Steve is taking care of the garbage! Wish you were here.
Love, Mom
Sol IV, Richard Anuszkiewicz, Elvehjem Art Center, madison, Wisconsin
September 1973
I’ve been thinking about you all day and hope you had a good trip and are in a nice room at school. Bill called and said you got off ok (I was at hospital so he talked to Jane). Thought you might enjoy this card – B and I went through the museum in Madison.
What size is your Baby Jane blouse? There are some nice ones here – I might get you one.
Love, Mom
Pistachio (1971), Helen Frankenthaler, Elvehjem Art Center, Madison Wisconsin
June 1983
Your letter/clipping just came. The photos are wonderful – make me nostalgic for Burma – especially good of Pagan.
We are still raining and chilly – especially in the aft and eve. Depressing. Alicia is coming for supper tonight, we’ll got to Rotterdam Concert tomorrow – maybe with Gunta.
I’m trying to get apt ready for family.
Love, Va
Augusto Giacometti, Detial: Anbetender Engel, Fraumunster Zurich
Postcard Buzz 