The best museums on the National Mall are the Natural History Museum and the Freer/Sackler Gallery (FSG). Since I’ve just done a bit of writing on Western art, I think I’ll spend some time on Asian art – which is what the FSG has on display.
In a way, it’s unfair to lump all of Asian art into one category since there are so many different styles but I’m not versed enough in art history to do otherwise. In any case, I love Asian art. The mere fact of the huge variety of styles makes it as interesting to go to an Asian art museum as it does to a Western art museum. In many cases, because Asian civilizations are more ancient than European ones, a museum like FSG has as much archaeological interest as it does artistic.
Western art museums are obsessed with names. A mediocre piece by a more famous artist is more prized than a worthy piece by a lesser artist. I think that’s the problem with the National Gallery. I suppose because they don’t have as much money as other museums, they end up having less well-known artists in the gallery but they insist on focusing on them. Really, the National Gallery is a waste of time. Stick to the Modern Art wing, which is much more interesting. Meanwhile, FSG puts import on names as well but since most people don’t know who the artists are it’s not as big a focus. Also, there are many Asian artistic traditions where names just don’t matter – religious art for example was as prized for the product as it was for the creator.
Right now, the FSG finally has its Edo Period exhibit open which makes the Sackler Gallery more than the afterthought it’s been for the past few months. Besides the Whistler and American Impressionist rooms in the Freer Gallery, I would greatly recommend a visit to FSG if you’re museum-hopping in the national capital. If you’re in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, I would recommend the Hermitage – a small but fascinating collection of Asian pieces. Skip the tour because it gives no information about the art, just the people who used to own the building and collection.
To make the post look nicer, I’ll add a couple of pictures. The first is by Hokusai – a big name in Asian art if there is one – who did the famous Great Wave painting in the 36 Views of Mount Fuji series.
Hokusai, Boy Viewing Mt. Fuji, 1830s (?)
This one is an Ottoman miniature from Ottoman times. Miniatures may be the other genre of art – the first being Michelangelo – that amazes even more in person than in reproduction. In the case of miniatures, it’s the use of colors that makes even the smallest illuminations spell-binding.
Master Osman – Siege of Vienna, 1588
Hokusai’yi bilen bir Turk gormekten cok memnun oldum
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