The Whitney
On my road trip last weekend to visit my daughter, we ventured to Manhattan’s Meatpacking District to see The Whitney.  As in The Whitney Museum of American Art, it is the world’s leading museum of twentieth-century and contemporary art of the United States. Founded by sculptor and arts patron Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney.

The WhitneyThe museum is brand spanking new at this location.  It opened May 1, 2015, now home to more than 19,000 works of modern and contemporary American Art.

The Whitney

The Whitney

In 1931, Whitney approached the famed Metropolitan Museum of Arts to house her twenty-year collection of 700 modern art works.  Upon rejection from The Met, it was then that she founded The Whitney Museum of American Art.

Wearing J. Crew punched-out eyelet dress, with Seychelles blue suede sandals and carrying Mansur Gavriel Black Flamma Tote. My collection of Tiffany charms, David Yurman cable bracelet, J. Crew Factor necklace with Prada sunnies.
On the rooftop of the Whitney Museum in NYC; Wearing J. Crew punched-out eyelet dress, with Seychelles blue suede “Play Along” heels, carrying Mansur Gavriel Black Flamma Tote. My collection of Tiffany charms, David Yurman cable buckle bracelet with gold, J. Crew Factor statement necklace with Prada sunnies.  The first photo you can see the Freedom Tower in the skyline.

Vanderbilt! You may recall the name from the prominent United States Vanderbilt family.  As in her daddy was Cornelius Vanderbilt II. Cornelius built his wealth in shipping and railroads during the Gilded Age. Just a reminder, the Gilded Age was an era of rapid economic growth in the United States’s industrialization.

This portrait of Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney is featured in the first-floor gallery devoted to Gertrude in the Whitney Museum. Whitney commissioned this portrait in 1916 from Robert Henri, leader of the urban realist painters.
This portrait of Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney is featured in the first-floor gallery devoted to Gertrude in the Whitney Museum. Whitney commissioned this portrait in 1916 from Robert Henri, leader of the urban realist painters.

Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney (January 9,1875 – April 18,1942) was a prominent social figure and hostess who was born into the wealthy Vanderbilt family and married into the also prosperous Whitney family.

The building was designed by architect Renzo Piano, who also designed the New York Times Building, The inaugural exhibit, “America Is Hard to See,” is drawn entirely from the Whitney Museum of Art’s collection.  The massive collection covers most of the eight floors. The well-curated art is reflective of the period of time as listed below:

Floor Eight:  1910 -1940
Floor Seven:  1925 -1960
Floor Six:  1950 -1975
Floor Five:  1965 – Present
Floor Three: Susan and John Hess Family Gallery and Theater and Education Center and Laurie M. Tisch Education Center
Floor One: 1900-1935 The early history of the Whitney is examined

Some of my favorites pieces:

The Brooklyn Bridge: Variation on an Old Theme, 1939 by Joseph Stella (oil on canvas)
The Brooklyn Bridge: Variation on an Old Theme, 1939 by Joseph Stella (oil on canvas)

 

The Buffalo Hunt, 1933 by Horace Pippin (1888 - 1946) oil on canvas
The Buffalo Hunt, 1933 by Horace Pippin (1888 – 1946) oil on canvas
"Barack and Michelle" by Elizabeth Peyton.
“Barack and Michelle” by Elizabeth Peyton.

The exhibit runs until September 27, 2015. The admission fee is $22.00 per person. The museum offers Friday night pay-as-you-wish program from 7 to 10 pm like the Metropolitan Museum of Art offers everyday. Looking for a new and interesting place for a date, a fun day with the girls or art appreciation? The Whitney is the place.
Museum Hours:
Monday:  10:30 am – 6 pm
Tuesday – Closed
Wednesday:  10:30 am – 6 pm
Great accommodating hours for the latter part of the week – Thursday through Saturday when the museum hours are 10:30 am – 10:00 pm.
Non-flash photography is allowed however selfie-sticks and tripods are prohibited.

The Whitney

My daughter, the soon to be Mrs.Yazy and I enjoyed the eighth-floor rooftop Studio Cafe small-bites restaurant as did everyone else for the scenic skyline views. Our aerial visual enjoyment included the massive Google building, the tip of the Empire State Building on one side and the Freedom Tower on another side.

The title, " America Is Hard to See," comes from a poem by Robert Frost and a political documentary by Emile de Antonio.
The title, ” America Is Hard to See,” comes from a poem by Robert Frost and a political documentary by Emile de Antonio.

My trips to NYC aren’t complete until we do what’s become the new normal.  The girls and I spent a lovely neither rainy nor cloudy day walking to brunch at a little Italian restaurant on the upper east side, manicures at our fave Blooming Nails, taking the dreaded Metro downtown to the Whitney and finishing off the night with dinner in the Union Square area. With all this strolling, I was able to get in 14,000 steps in my flats that I brought along (the heels were just for my outfit photo).

I walked 6 miles with 14, 497 steps. My goal is at least 10,000 per day as monitored by my Fitbit App.
I walked 6 miles with 14, 497 steps. My goal is at least 10,000 per day as monitored by my Fitbit App.

Thumbs Up ?? for The Whitney Museum’s new location on the Hudson River and the well-curated “America Is Hard To See” exhibit. America is actually easy to see at The Whitney. If you are planning a visit to Manhattan be sure to include this stop.

A special thank you to my daughter Channing for my wonderful photos.

Have a fabulous week!

eugenia_siggy