Running and art

I had a lovely run this evening with a couple of good stops to share. I don't actually go to the museums very often (even though I live so close) but I've been hearing about the unfinished Michelangelo sculpture David-Apollo (the brochure at that link has more pictures too) that's currently on tour to the National Gallery of Art. Since the gallery is open until 6 on Sundays I decided I needed to stop by on my evening run. It's really nice. I rather like the "emerging from the stone" aspect of the sculpture. It's a nice alteration in perspective from the completed perfection of something like David. (I guess I'll just have to go to Florence sometime and see it too!) 

While there I spent 20 minutes wandering through the galleries of European masters too. I need to spend a little more time there! Those old oil paintings are gorgeous. Actually I should probably take a tour and actually learn a little context too.

Since you don't get any pictures from me tonight, here's an example painting from their website:

Sir Anthony van Dyck
Susanna Fourment and Her Daughter, 1621
Andrew W. Mellon Collection
1937.1.48

Just gorgeous colors!

After the gallery I continued with my run down the Mall. It was cold but nice so I went all the way to the Lincoln Memorial. The best part though was going by the Washington Monument. There was just a sprinkling of snow drifting down, too little to actually see in the dusk. The Monument though has really bright spotlights. Think of the "snow in the headlights" effect when you are driving only about 100 times brighter. The flakes close to the light shine like stars while they fall through the beam. So very pretty! It was the kind of treat that reminds me why I really like running through there.