You're Not All Bad, Richmond VA

The last time I spent any time in Richmond, Virginia was over a year ago, which I wrote about here. And I'm not going to lie, the city didn't really leave a good impression on me. But just last week I was remembering a painting that I really loved from my Garder's Art Through the Ages, and I looked it up and realized that it was on permanent display at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond. I really didn't want to leave VA without seeing it in person, and I was very pleasantly surprised with the VMFA! In fact, it had a really great collection. So, if you ever find yourself in Richmond and aren't really feeling it, go to the VMFA, because it will definitely make Richmond go up a few notches in what it has to offer. 

As soon as I walked into the museum, this Dale Chihuly beauty welcomed me:

The museum was having a Chihuly special exhibit that I kind of regret not going to, but it was $20 a person, and we just wanted to do the museum on the cheap, aka free side. But this piece was still sweet. It looks kind of like the Chihuly piece at Abravanel Hall in SLC, the first Chihuly glass masterpiece I ever saw. 

The museum had an awesome art deco and art noveau exhibit, which included Frank Lloyd Wright furniture and window pieces, and these beauties!!

A huge selection of Tiffany lamps and windows. Oh, it is love. If only one were in my living room. 

The painting I originally went to see was the Angelika Kauffman painting "Cornelia Presenting Her Children as Her Treasures."  

I have always loved the simplistic beauty of the painting and the message behind it. I don't have children, but when I do, I want to have a copy of this in my home as a reminder of what is truly important in life. 

And what would an art museum be without a Degas ballerina sculpture? Degas made so many of these, they're everywhere!

And true to Annie luck in going to museums, I was very excited to hear that the VMFA had an extensive Faberge collection, but naturally when we got there, we found out the exhibit is on tour, so I still have yet to see an original Faberge egg. Life isn't fair sometimes. But overall, this is a first rate museum with a great collection of art. One of the best things Richmond has going for it! Make a visit if you're in the area.

Artsy.com reached out to me to include this awesome page about Dale Chihuly and his history/art works. Check it out if you're wanting more information about this amazing artist! Click here.