This past year, my biggest regret has been not going to the Art Institute of Chicago more.
Back in the summer of 2022, I visited the museum a total of 53 times. Yes, 53. To be fair, I did a summer program there, but still, I practically lived inside the Art Institute. Since 2023 started, I think I’ve only been there a total of five times.
There’s something about being in that building that made me want to create. Art has always been a huge part of my life, but the four weeks that I spent at the Art Institute felt like a fever dream. Never in my life had I created that much work in such a short period of time and with such freedom. I did so much crazy-art-person-stuff that even thinking about it now confuses me.
← evidence of crazy-art-person-stuff
My ultimate goal in life is to look at every single piece of art inside that museum, which is nearly impossible given how often they switch out exhibits. But without further ado, here are some of my favorite pieces that I have seen:
1.) Nighthawks. When people ask me what my favorite painting is, I often default to Nighthawks, by Edward Hopper. This huge oil painting is well known for its quiet atmosphere, moody lighting, and depiction of loneliness. I can’t exactly pinpoint why I’m drawn to this one, but there’s something about how it was carefully crafted that makes me look at it every time I visit the Art Institute.
2.) The Fountain, Villa Torlonia, Frascati, Italy by John Singer Sargent. I am a big fan of John Singer Sargent. First of all, his name is really cool, but I also love his art style. For an American painter, his art weirdly resembles European luxury. I love his big brush strokes and bold use of color, and in this specific painting, it feels so freeing. If I could own any painting of his, I’d pick this one.
3.) “Untitled” (Portrait of Ross in L.A.). This is one of your only chances to touch artwork at a museum. For years and years, I was a hater of contemporary art, but this piece was the one that changed my mind. This piece of art isn’t a painting or a sculpture, but is a pile of shiny, commercially distributed candy at approximately 175 pounds. The artist made this piece in honor of his late partner, who died of AIDS complications, and symbolizes loss and replenishment. Although it is currently off view, if you ever find yourself in front of this piece, take a piece of candy.
4.) The Drinkers. I love Vincent Van Gogh, but in a different way than most people. I don’t love him for his art as much as I love him for his crazy. Every time I look at a piece of his, I can see the insanity, and it makes me happy to think that there’s always going to be something good that comes out of delusion. This piece wasn’t actually Van Gogh’s idea, and rather, was a copy of someone else’s work that he did while he was in the Asylum, but I like the twist he put on it. He has a very distinct use of color and shapes, which emphasizes the crazy and alcoholism in this one.
5.) Slumber, by Anissa Peterson. Okay, this piece isn’t actually part of the Art Institute collection. In fact, I’m not even sure you can find it online? But this was made by my friend Anissa as part of our summer program, and yes, she’s letting me talk about this. This is hands down one of my favorite paintings of all time. I was able to watch her go through the process of painting this and let me just tell you, she is magical. While I was struggling to recreate Calcifer (from Howl’s Moving Castle), she was next to me, literally making a masterpiece out of thin air. I love the way she uses such expressive brush strokes and how she keeps the color so clean and how she incorporates so much detail in such a small space. Literally the best artist I know.
Obviously, my favorites aren’t limited to these five. Some honorable mentions are the Thorne Miniature Rooms, the glass paperweights (that I haven’t seen in a few years??), anything with children that look like adults, and all of the Ivan Albright paintings. But there’s so much more.
Anyway, if you find yourself with some extra time in the upcoming weeks, I’d suggest a trip up to the Art Institute. You never know what kind of enlightenment you’ll find.
I’ll admit it, I’ve only been to the Art Institute once or twice in my life, and I was pretty young both times. I think that’s why I haven’t been in a while – I remember being so bored in the museum waiting for my mom to finish painstakingly analyze each part of every painting. However, over spring break this year, I was lucky enough to go to Italy, and I went to quite a few museums there. I think now that I’m older, and have more art museum experience, I would enjoy the Art Institute a lot more. And even though I haven’t been there in a long time, I still remember two exhibits quite clearly – the Thorne Rooms and the America Windows. I loved the Thorne Rooms as a kid because I would always imagine what it would be like to live in a miniature world. I loved the America Windows because they are just so pretty, and now I still love them because they were made by one of my favorite Jewish artists, Marc Chagall.
Kate – Let me preface this comment by saying, my favorite item in my room is still the painting of my dog you gave me last year. Seeing the artwork you created throughout your summer art program last summer allows me to truly understand how the Art Institute inspires you to create as you do. I love going to the Art Institute and seeing all the different types of art they have, but I especially love taking a trip to see the photography exhibit on the lower level as I make my way to the Thorne Miniature Rooms. For my birthday a couple of weeks ago, I actually went to the Art Institute and found myself staring the most at Monet’s pieces. Personally, Monet is my favorite artist because my favorite paintings to look at are those of landscapes, and the color schemes he uses for his different landscapes are just surreal. I’d love to go to the Art Institute with you one day and hear your artistic insight on all the artwork.
Interesting read. As someone who generally likes paintings with shapes and cubisms, it was a nice throwback looking at some of the paintings. I distinctly remember being forced to visit the art museums while I was younger albeit my demonstrated distaste for them – it might have been to spark creativity. As someone with no art credibility, I would have to say that my favorite photo would be the second from the beginning. It has the uniqueness and familiarity that I can’t put my finger on. What a masterpiece. The rest are all right. Nighthawks, especially, has been a classic that I’ve always been seeing and probably a painting that I would hang up in my own home. The rest of them were also refreshing to look through, not sure what the “Untitled” piece has its presence in, but I trust that because its contemporary it has a contemporary meaning: What it means, I don’t know. Anyways, fun to read more about your perspectives.
Thanks for sharing Kate! I find the Art Institute of Chicago to be a great place to visit once and a while. It gives me appreciation for different artists, cultures, and ideas, while serving a reminder of the rich history that art has. I also have to agree with most of your favorite artworks. Although I didn’t know its name, Nighthawks is an iconic piece that really emphasizes loneliness, but also peacefulness. I always thought the man was reflecting on his long work day, as he sits alone drinking his beverage. “Untitled” is also one I’ll never forget about. The pieces of candy, it’s always a nice break after walking around the rest of the museum to stumble across something that is interactive. These candies are good! I find myself sneaking back to it as I walk through the rest of this part in the museum. La Grande Jatte is also one of the artworks that I enjoy, there’s just so much going on in the painting.
Kate, It was so interesting to hear your perspective on artwork at the Art Institute of Chicago. Personally, I think I have only ever been there once, so I don’t think your status as a D-1 crazy art person is at risk from only going there five times this summer. When I saw the picture of Nighthawks I thought it was a picture taken in a 3D space before later realizing that was just the background of the painting. I feel like a lot of times it can be hard for us to express why something is our favorite something so I relate to the part of your analysis where you mention how you aren’t exactly sure what draws you to it the most. I think that your idea that something good will always come out of delusion is quite a hot take. I can’t say I completely agree but I do appreciate how Van Gogh’s, and your, mental states affect your ability to make art.