The Clark Art Institute is one of those world-class museums set far away from big-city life. Along with Tanglewood, the Williamstown Theatre Festival and Jacob’s Pillow, it brings art and culture to this corner of Massachusetts, and what makes “summering in the Berkshires” more than just spending some time in the mountains for the cool breeze.
I wrote a story about its renovations and new look for Arrive in 2014 (“Make it New,”), and ever since then had been wanting to visit.
The setting alone is worth the trip. Even on this cloudy day we were awed by the beauty.
Then there was this. A life-changing exhibit on “Van Gogh and Nature.”
I have been to the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam and still didn’t have the understanding of the artist that I came away with after visiting this exhibit. The paintings told the story of how his art — and how he saw nature — changed as he changed his environment. Dark, cold and dreary in The Netherlands; bright, optimistic and frenetic after he moved to France. It also made it clear that the Impressionists influenced him; at first he was trying to copy their technique. It wasn’t until he veered off on his own direction that his distinct style emerged. I just loved the exhibit.
Afterward, more playing on the sculpture:
And then we explored the grounds: 140 acres of walking trails! We walked to one of the other buildings, which was showing another exhibit, this of Whistler’s Mother.
Then, a walk back over the hills.
What a wonderful afternoon. As we drove back to our hotel, the rain started. Here’s peek out the windows of tiny downtown Williamstown:
Brilliant.
The 411 on the Clark Art Institute.
