Yale University Art Gallery

On Saturday the 31st of March, I decided to make my first museum trip to the Yale University Art Gallery. The Yale University Art Gallery is the oldest college art museum in the United States. The gallery was founded in 1832, when patriot-artist John Trumbull donated to Yale College more than 100 paintings of the American Revolution.

Today, the gallery houses a collection that has grown to rank with those of the major public art museums in the United States. Its two connected buildings house ancient, medieval, and Renaissance art, Near and Far Eastern art, archaeological material from the University’s excavations, Pre-Columbian and African art, works of European and American masters from virtually every period, and a rich collection of modern art.

I actually work about two blocks from the museum and can honestly say I have never even thought about going. When I left my house I wasn't even sure of the exact location, but I figured I'd just wing it!

After some searching I finally made it and only to be greeted by those two great words, "Free Admission"!


The gallery had a very modern feel to it, we were promptly greeted at the door and given a map and instructions as to what exhibits were going on. I passed on the tour and figured I would just take it at my own pace. After going the African and Asian art sin the second floor we made our way up to the third floor and passed through the modern art. They had a large modern art exhibit of which I enjoyed taking the time to look at. I have to say I haven't exactly been the most avid art devotee but I was amazed at all the art the Yale Art Gallery had on display. There were pieces by well-known artists such as Van Gogh, Manet, Monet, Picasso, and Andy Warhol.

Claude Monet's the Artists Garden at Giverney



It wasn't a painting from any of these artists that caught my eye it was one from the artist Jean-Leon Gerome. I am very interested in history so I was drawn to the European Art section and this is why "Ave Caesar! Morituri te salutant" is the piece I chose. All of the art in this section seem to tell a story of the past. The more I looked at this art the more I felt I took from the paintings.



Jean-Leon Gerome is a French painter and sculptor and a student of Paul Delaroche. He inherited his highly finished academic style almost directly from Delaroche. His best-known works are his oriental scenes, the fruit of several visits to Egypt. They won Gerome great popularity and he had considerable influence as an upholder of academic tradition and enemy of progressive trends in art; he opposed, for example, the acceptance by the state of the Caillebotte bequest of Impressionist pictures.

My first impression when I look at this painting is that it is very detailed. The detail in the arches at the top of the coliseum and on the stone podium where Caesar sits first caught my eye. Next, I noticed the fallen gladiators that are being dragged off of the coliseum floor. It is hard to tell whether the Gladiator's are done fighting or have not yet begun. The name of the painting translates to "Hail Caesar! We Who Are About to Die Salute You". In my opinion, I would say that they are getting ready for battle as they in no way look wounded from battle. It seems as if they are giving Caesars one final salute. Another aspect can be that these Gladiators could have just fought a battle in a coliseum and they can be seeking Caesar's decision to live or die.

Well, it's off to the Wadsworth Athenum next!