I just returned from a brief trip to Washington, D.C. and made it a point to visit the Corcoran Gallery. During research for my previous post on the homes of Huguette Clark (available here) I discovered that the Salon Dore, which Senator Clark had imported from the Hotel Clermont in Paris for his 5th Avenue residence, currently exists in the collection of the gallery. I had to see it in person.
The salon during its period on 5th Avenue, circa 1925 prior to the demolition of the home.
The salon today in the Corcoran Gallery...
The room is amazing...
However, the ceiling leaves much to be desired.
A detail of the doors.
My favorite carved panel representing theatre. I particularly love the masks and peacock feather fan.
In addition to this spectacular room, Clark donated his entire collection of art to the Corcoran following his death in 1925. Following this donation a large addition was made to the museum in honor of Senator Clark.
The plaque honoring Senator Clark and mentioning Huguette.
The skylight and stairwell in the Clark addition. Classic and subdued compared to the garishness of the 5th Avenue mansion.
Hello William:
ReplyDeleteHow amazing that the room should have been 'saved' in such a way and completely rebuilt within the museum much as it originally was. The carving, very Grinling Gibbons, is wonderful, and we do agree about the quality of the theatrical pieces.
On balance though, we rather prefer the classical simplicity of the lantern lit stairwell of the gallery building.
I'd have to agree with you... the stairwell was beautiful. The lantern, ceiling medallion, and two columns of dark green and purple marble were beautiful. A dramatically lit copy of Canova's Venus Italica stood at the base of the stairs and was the only piece of artwork in the space. An amazing institution that has survived relatively untouched since the 1920s... even the bathrooms were intact.
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