european masterpieces

European Masterpieces From Pushkin Museum

Francois Boucher's "Hercules and Omphale" / Courtesy of organizers
By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter

Masterpieces by famous European painters from the 17th and 18th century are now on display at the Hangaram Art Museum, Seoul Arts Center complex.

Seventy-six art works, including works by Rembrandt, Rubens and Van Dyck, are from the permanent collection of the State Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts in Moscow, Russia. ``Great Masters of European Art: Meet Rembrandt'' runs through Feb. 26 on the third floor of the Hangaram Art Museum.

The State Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts has the largest collection of European art in Moscow. It includes paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries, with representative works from artists from the Netherlands, Italy, France and Spain.

Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn, a Dutch artist considered one of the great Baroque masters, was famous for his portraits and illustrations of scenes from the Bible. Shown in the exhibit is the painting ``Portrait of an Elderly Woman,'' and religious-themed etchings such as ``The Descent from the Cross,'' showing the lifeless body of Christ being brought down from the Cross, and ``The Good Samaritan,'' showing the Samaritan bringing the wounded traveler to an inn.



Also at the exhibit is Francois Boucher's beautiful oil painting ``Hercules and Omphale.'' It depicts the myth of Hercules, sold into slavery and having to serve Lydian Queen Omphale, who he falls in love with. Boucher was a leading figure in the French Rococo movement.

Anthony van Dyck was a famous court painter in England who made portraits of King Charles I of England and other royal figures. One of his portraits, ``Lady d'Aubigny and the Countess of Portland,'' is included in the exhibition.

Other notable works include Nicholas Poussin's ``Satyr and the Nymph,'' Peter Paul Rubens' ``The Virgin Giving the Rosary to Saint Dominic,'' Pieter Brueghel Jr.'s ``Winter: Skating,'' Bartolome Esteban Murillo's ``Girl Selling Fruit,'' and Louise-Elisabeth Vigee-LeBrun's ``Portrait of Prince Ivan Baryatinsky.''

The exhibit is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Guided tours and audio guides are only available in Korean. Tickets are 12,000 won for adults, 9,000 won for 13-18 year olds and 7,000 won for children. Call (02) 2113-3400.

To get to Seoul Arts Center, get off Nambu Bus Terminal Station Subway Line 3, Exit 5. Take the Seoul Arts Center shuttle bus, Green bus no. 12 or Blue bus no. 4429. Visit www.sac.or.kr (English, Korean).

cathy@koreatimes.co.kr