Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

I had the opportunity to travel to Bentonville Arkansas last weekend and visited the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.

This is an aerial view of the architectural model of the complex which spans creek-filled ponds.  The multi-million dollar facility is built of concrete, wood and glass and contains literally billions of dollars in art.  If you are ever in the area, you should definitely stop in.  The price of admission is free!

Here is an photograph of the same view.  The facility was designed by renowned architect Moshe Safdie from Boston and was commissioned by Alice Walton, daughter of Walmart founder Sam Walton and ranked as one of the world's wealthiest women.

The galleries are organized chronologically and contain American art spanning from the 1700's through the present.  I have posted a few pieces below.

This giant stainless steel tree is at the entrance

My wife was enjoying the Georgia O'Keeffe painting in one of the galleries of art formerly owned by her husband Alred Stieglizt.

This painting of Rosie the Riveter is by Norman Rockwell

Part of the early work contains these two paintings of George Washington, America's first President.  I liked the contrast between the young George and the old one (1797).  The painting of the older George is by and the museum reportedly paid $7,250.000. for it and paid $8,100,000.00 for the oil on canvas of the younger George.

I liked both the frame and this painting of the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago 1893 - the world's fair changed the face of American Architecture.

I liked this painting of hollyhocks.  They were a favorite element used in geometric patterns by architect Frank Lloyd Wright.  This painting was by John Lafarge and dates from 1895

This was probably my favorite painting.  It is entitled Lantern Bearers and dates from 1908.  The lanterns seem to literally glow.  The museum reportedly acquired this piece for $4,272,000.00.  One of the most exciting new acquisitions of the museum is a Frank Lloyd Wright house which they are currently re-assembling on the museum grounds after re-locating it from New Jersey.  I will post some pictures of it later.

To see Frank Lloyd Wright's Bachman-Wilson House, Click HERE