Star Dragon

Dragon of Marduk, Neo-Babylonian, Reign of Nebuchadnezzar II, Detroit Institute of Arts.

The Latin word for dragon, draco means both dragon and snake. This glazed brick representation of a dragon comes from Babylon of the fabled Hanging Gardens. The Staatliche Museen zu Berlin has recreated the Ishtar Gate which depicts many guardian animals, both mystical and real.

Disappointed?

The Blue Gown, 1917 by Frederick Carl Frieseke, The Detroit Institute of Arts.

An American Impressionist painter who studied with the Europeans. Frieseke's work is full of color and light. What are your thoughts? I think she is all ready for a date that did not show.

Good News

The Wedding Dance by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, c. 1566, Detroit Institute of Arts.

The New York Times reports that the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts is no longer in danger of being sold as part of the Bankruptcy filed by the City of Detroit. This is very good news for not only the DIA, Detroit and Michigan, but for any art lover that enjoys access to masterpieces through public museums. Do yourself a favor and visit this collection if you can, there are some very fine pieces and you won't regret it.