Boston's arts and sciences in two museums: Part 2

Because I was too busy completing the book manuscript to propose a new paper, and the poster I made with colleagues studying the organization's early career prizes wasn't accepted, I didn't present anything the big history of medicine meeting this year. This meant I could relax and listen to the panels, which I annotated for Facebook. I did moderate a panel on the history of epidemic disease on Sunday morning.

When the conference wrapped up, I met a friend at the Museum of Fine Arts for lunch and a look-see. To our surprise, the ticket line was out the door, down the steps, and to the sidewalk, as it was Mother's Day, Northeastern's graduation, a family entrance weekend, a Vincent Van Gogh exhibit, AND "Art in Bloom," when floral artists pair bouquets with artworks. After waiting to be seated for a modest lunch, we explored the jewelry and musical instrument exhibits, as well as some rooms upstairs with fin-de-siecle European and American art. 

"Jewelry is everywhere as the MFA. This space and the jewel box gallery on your right feature a small yet broad sampling of an extraordinary collection. This isn't the only space in the museum where you will encounter these miniature treasures. Throughout your visit, look for jewelry alongside other works of art in many of the MFA's galleries." The case has an ancient necklace next to one from the 21st century. My favorite pieces were the "classic" Art Nouveau pieces with filigree work and colored gems.

This small room had fewer instruments than the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, but there was still a nice variety. We particularly admired the guitars with intricate inlays and finely cut sound holes.

I could have stared at this painting for a long, long time.

It is "Orchis and Hummingbird" (c. 1870-83) by Martin Johnson Heade (1819-1904).

Fancy table with more inlay work.

Hung in a simple wooden frame, "Lady with a Red Shawl" (c. 1840) was attributed to "Artist once known, American, mid-19th century."

I believe this is a Tiffany stained glass window.

Editor's Note : Click here for the medical history museum at MGH.