By Dr. Anna Swinbourne

There is a spot in the drawing room, marked with an “X” in the nearby photograph, which is one of my favorites at Hill-Stead, if not the whole world. Standing on that spot, facing south to gaze at Monet’s haystacks in summertime, one can rotate clockwise to appreciate example after example of the magnificent paintings the Pope family acquired and installed in this room.

What is so very extraordinary about this particular arrangement is that within a single 360-degree rotation, the visitor can, through first-hand study of masterpieces, have a complete overview lesson in French Impressionism.

The introduction begins with the movement’s revered mentor, Edouard Manet, and his embrace of mid-19^th century ideas about modernism – namely that to be modern one must attempt to place their finger on the pulse and particularities of the Now, and in so doing, an artist can assure their importance and appreciation by future generations.

This quest for modernity was sought by Degas, albeit through deceptively created scenes. Looking at Dancers in Pink, I feel as though I occupy the artist’s shoes, standing at an easel set up backstage and observing these performers as they wait in the wings, when in fact Degas could not have occupied this spot, as no man other than ballet professionals were then allowed in such places. The painting was actually carefully and imaginatively constructed in his own studio, fusing individual sketches of young dancers he had hired to serve as models there.

Degas’s traditional practice of creating the painting in his studio was anathema to his Impressionist contemporaries, who carried canvas, easel and materials out of doors to paint before the actual motifs that inspired them, which we see in full glory in the exceptional pair of haystacks, exquisitely positioned at 12 and 6 o’clock.

In fact, pausing my clock-hands-self at either hour and turning to the other, I can, with every bit of my being, understand an essential Impressionist aspiration: to revisit the same motif repeatedly and under different conditions – of day, season, weather – in order to capture a fleeting moment. The low, pale light of haystacks in a winter frost versus those set afire by midday summer sun. Perfect.

And pausing to savor that perfection, my eyes fall on Monet’s seascape of Antibes over the fireplace, an exquisite ending note. Through their dozen years of exhibiting together, from 1874-1886, the young rebellious Impressionists accomplished what they set out to – upend established norms about the type of subject that could be painted, the techniques used to do so, and the opportunities for their work to be appreciated by others – then they went their separate ways. Monet’s soon led him to the south of France, where he found favorite spots of his own, like this one on the Mediterranean.

Dear Friends,

As you may have heard, we at Hill-Stead created a custom-for-2020 version of our gala this year, made up of five al fresco farm-to-table dinners by celebrity chef Tyler Anderson on the West Lawn.

For the fourth one, on September 3rd, Mother Nature served us up a bucket full of drama! In the days leading up to it, we were on tenterhooks watching an ever-changing weather forecast. Showers (drats!), then none (hurrah!), then thunderstorms (what?!). But, as the day drew nearer and the chances of precipitation diminished, we decided – timidly – to go for it.

The sun that day was bright and hot, and all looked as though we had made the right decision. Then, just as we were beginning our dinner, and seemingly out of nowhere, the skies darkened quickly. While cutting my pepper, I felt the first drop on my nose; then, a second on my right shoulder. I refused to look up, letting my eyes linger on my plate as I envisioned the mayhem that was in store – the mad dash for cover, the food spoiled, the table settings soaked – in short, our evening and efforts completely foiled.

A whisper from the waiter interrupted my dreading, “Anna, you’ve gotta see this.” Almost in a daze, I obeyed, getting up from my chair and following him to the back of the lawn, not even thinking to guess what was in store. I followed his finger pointing straight back to the house, above which sat a full, vivid and beautiful rainbow. As if possessed, I jogged up to the veranda and to the microphone, to share the news with our guests before it disappeared. Most of them immediately stood and to go and see, and in the intervening seconds, something more extraordinary happened: a double rainbow appeared, fainter than its siblings but there, just as real.

Almost immediately, I saw meaning in this scenario: the planning, the fretting, the courage to make a decision despite the uncertainty, the complication, and then, ultimately, the glory. Reminded me a bit of some of our struggles at the museum this year: the difficult and the marvelous, in our lives in equal measure.

And it gave me hope, for beauty that is triumphant and for some gold, as we’re told that’s what’s to be found at the end of the rainbow!

Now that the series is completed, I am writing to you about the event’s last step of much-needed fundraising, the silent auction portion of our benefit. For all of you interested in supporting the museum in this fashion – purchasing an artwork, a bottle of fine wine, or a memorable experience – there is a curated selection of items to be viewed and bought through this link: https://www.hillstead.org/2020-benefit-auction/

We would appreciate GREATLY any purchase you make, as it would help us reach our overall financial goal! Go bid crazy, and keep your eye on the ticking clock, as our auction turns into a pumpkin at midnight on Monday the 21st!

Take good care,
Anna

Featured Auction Items

Click on the images in the slide show below to bid on an item or Browse our entire auction

Wagyu & Wine for Two

Live Reptile Educational Program for Child’s Birthday

Live Edge Pine Bench by City Bench

Case of Selected Pahlmeyer & Paul Lato Pinot Noir Wines

Fly Fishing for Three on the Big Horn

Utagawa Hiroshige Japanese Wood Block Print

Premium Access to Hill-Stead’s Wine Cellar

Rose Bag by Bembien

Walking Tour of NYC, Historical or Present Day, for 6 Guests