Philadelphia Museum of Art

#AlmaThomas was an abstract painter and educator who began painting professionally at age seventy-one, after retiring from teaching. She was inspired by nature, particularly as encountered during her childhood in the Deep South and created works with a focus based on a juxtaposition and interaction of colors. #BlackHistoryMonth Don't miss your chance to see this work in person, on view in "Expanded Painting in the 1960s and 1970s" through Feb 16 when it leaves for loan. http://ow.ly/o9DR30rvpYq "Hydrangeas Spring Song," 1976, by Alma Thomas http://ow.ly/zscl30rvpYt

Happy #GroundhogDay! Bundle up, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow. "The Red Shawl," around 1890, by Thomas Eakins http://ow.ly/1yfq30rvio8 "Portrait of Lady Hamilton as a Bacchante," 1800s, copy after George Romney http://ow.ly/I9wF30rvioi

How did you spend the snow day?

Heads up! It’s National Hat Day.

By the early 1500s, particularly in northern Italy, there was a new demand for paintings depicting scenes of daily life rather than religious or mythological subjects. This painting of a private concert is an excellent example of the trend. Two men in the background, flanking another who is crowned with the laurel wreath of a poet, play recorders, while the women in front play string instruments. The elegantly dressed man at left, who is singing from a booklet of sheet music, looks out as if inviting the viewer to join in. "Musical Group," around 1530, by Callisto Piazza http://ow.ly/j9UT30rpXKj

We'll be celebrating #BlackHistoryMonth throughout February by sharing some of the amazing works in our collection by Black artists. We are kicking things off with Philadelphia-born artist Roberto Lugo. With this vase Lugo riffs on the traditional representations of Benjamin Franklin found throughout Philadelphia. He places Franklin within a constellation of songs, symbols, and rappers’ namesones that shaped his childhood and adult life. The artist also includes his own self-portrait on the other side of the vase, creating an imagined dialogue between himself and Franklin around the themes of money, history, violence, and success. See this work alongside other portraits of Franklin in our galleries. "All about the Benjamins Century Vase," 2016, by Roberto Lugo http://ow.ly/xfoa30rv8In

Craftsmanship is a major hallmark of Japanese design. The installation "Kgei: Art Craft Japan" celebrates one-of-a-kind, handcrafted objects made with traditional techniques and natural materials. Discover the specialized skills of contemporary kgei artists working in clay, glass, and fabric during your next visit. http://ow.ly/y0YQ30rsJER "Hexagonal faceted bowl," 2005, by Maeda Masahiro Maeda Masahiro courtesy of Ippods Gallery http://ow.ly/QE6y30rsJEV

Due to the weather, the museum will be closed Monday, February 1. Enjoy the snow day and stay safe. "Late Afternoon," around 1917, by Edward Willis Redfield http://ow.ly/Guug30ruY42

Today, we wish all who celebrate a very Merry Christmas. "Christmas Card," 1942, by Cynthia W. Iliff http://ow.ly/Ts5w30rpXFh

In accordance with new restrictions recently announced by city government and health officials, the museum will be closed for six weeks, effective immediately. We join several other Philadelphia cultural institutions in committing to support broad-based efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic in our city. http://ow.ly/KdE430rkBqT Although our buildings may be closed, we're always open online. Check out our website to explore virtual programs and exhibitions as well as our online collection. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for stories from the collection, artist videos, and a peek behind the scenes. Or sign up for our e-newsletter to be the first to know about virtual opportunities. We look forward to welcoming you to the museum again early in the new year. Until then, stay safe and be well.

Real painters understand with the brush. Berthe Morisot, born on this day in 1841. "Young Girl with Basket," 1892, by Berthe Morisot http://ow.ly/GiNt30rsACs

Horace Pippin began "The Getaway" as a daytime scene with a blue sky, red barns, and a fox standing still in the snow. His inspiration to transform the work into a nighttime setting may have come from seeing Winslow Homer’s "Fox Hunt" at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. In Homer’s painting, the fox is pursued by crows and appears to be running for its life. In Pippin’s snowy portrayal, the fox has captured a bird and escapes in the moonlight. See this and other works by Pippin in our collection in our installation "Horace Pippin: From War to Peace," now on view. http://ow.ly/G0uk30rsoEp "The Getaway," 1939, by Horace Pippin http://ow.ly/ae7v30rsoG6

When it's too good to keep secret. "Lovers under a Blossom Tree," 1859, by John Callcott Horsley http://ow.ly/HcnL30rocyh

Now that the museum has reopened with new hours, we also have new Pay What You Wish times. Join us the first Sunday of every month and now Fridays from 5:00 to 8:45 p.m. and choose what you pay for admission. http://ow.ly/ugDG30rsp6I Advance reservations are strongly recommended. Book your tickets here: http://ow.ly/wdkJ30rsp7R Photo by Elizabeth Leitzell

The featured artists in our installation "Made by Hand: Contemporary Korean Craft" find inspiration in Korea’s acclaimed tradition of handmade objects and add their own visual language to the rich mix of techniques, materials, and forms. See the works for yourself during your next visit: http://ow.ly/r38F30ruT7L "Vase," around 1990, by Roe Kyung-Jo http://ow.ly/keFz30ruT7M

What trouble has your elf gotten into this year? "French Gothic Chapel and Composite Triple Window," 1400searly 1500s, attributed to the Master of the Life of Saint John the Baptist http://ow.ly/WNxj30rpXEn

"Painting from nature is not copying the object; it is realizing one's sensations." Paul Cézanne "Mont Sainte-Victoire," 19024, by Paul Cézanne http://ow.ly/AGne30rocyB

In "Fish Magic," Paul Klee creates a magical realm where the aquatic, the celestial, and the earthly intermingle. A delicate black surface covers an underlayer of colors, which the artist revealed by scratching and scrawling designs in the black paint. "Fish Magic," 1925, by Paul Klee http://ow.ly/fXRU30rh2Wh

This wooden pastry mold was used to make springerle, a type of cookie that originated in southern Germany about five hundred years ago. The imprinted cookies were traditionally made for ceremonies and celebrations, and are now typically prepared to mark Christian holidays, such as Christmas. Springerle molds made in Pennsylvania by German immigrants showed wide variations in designthis particular mold is carved with birds in their native habitats. What are some of your family’s favorite cookie traditions? Pastry Mold, 1843, made in Lancaster, Pennsylvania http://ow.ly/cqAr30rpVSZ

Looking for last minute gifts? Wrap the museum in a big red bow and surprise someone on your nice list with a full year of art. Gift memberships can be activated anytimesave now and enjoy when you’re ready to visit. Use promo code MGIFTSM to save 10% through January 15. http://ow.ly/t0Gd30rpVSb

Need a breather? Join us for our virtual museum mindfulness event. Museum educators will lead you through a slow, guided look at works in our collection. This month, enjoy a sound meditation paired with two abstract works of art. Free participatory event; registration required, space is limited. http://ow.ly/BTZc30riGB6

Norwegian painter and printmaker Edvard Munch was born on this day in 1863. He’s most famous for his painting The Scream, and his dark and symbolic works often sought to capture the angst of living in the modern world. "Woman's Head against the Shore," 1899, by Edvard Munch http://ow.ly/hwnV30rocws

Wanda Gág’s subjects are charmingly familiargarden vegetables, lamps, shoes by the door. But the vitality of her style makes them vibrate with a palpable intensity, as if drawing itself animates the objects depicted. Ordinary things spring to life in these intimate studies: sunflowers look like embracing figures, squashes seem like swans, and pieces of farm equipment loom over the landscape like towering dinosaurs. In each, drawing enacts an interchange between the artist and the world she inhabits. Learn more about the artist in our online exhibition "Artist in Focus: Wanda Gág." http://ow.ly/Qm0d30rpSkE "Squash and Flowers (study drawing)," around 192627, by Wanda Gág http://ow.ly/t9Ae30rpSkK

Taca Sui is a contemporary photographer whose works show deep affiliations with China’s past. He came upon this dramatic landscape while traveling to places famous for their ancient stele (stone markers). Unlike the documentary photography often taken by visitors when viewing such sites, Taca Sui focuses on overlooked or unseen aspects of the terrain. In this image he captures the otherworldly atmosphere of a grotto at Feilai Peak in Hangzhou. Stop by our Chinese Galleries on the third floor during your next visit to view this work. http://ow.ly/GlHf30rgzYK "Feilai Peak," 2015, by Taca Sui http://ow.ly/DWJo30rgzYV

Waiting on the PA election results like... "Portrait of the Artist's Mother," 1891, by Henry Ossawa Tanner http://ow.ly/jpmi30riy6a

Do you have your Halloween costume planned yet? Our galleries are full of ideas. Today we are taking inspiration from this work by Pablo Picasso, who was born on this day in 1881. What artwork do you want to dress as this year? "Three Musicians, 1921, by Pablo Picasso Estate of Pablo Picasso / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York http://ow.ly/ZaXd30rgzY9

Baby, it’s cold outside! Join us online on December 18 at 4:00 p.m. as we explore a Winter Wonderland for kids and families. You'll meet friendly animals from the collection with sketching challenges and close-looking activities. Explore changing light and shadows just in art in time for the winter solstice. Best for kids ages 410. Free virtual event; registration required. http://ow.ly/3lYZ30roctV "The Merry Jesters," 1906, by Henri-Julien-Félix Rousseau http://ow.ly/1wDr30rocu1

I am a storyteller at heart. There is something special about knowing that your stories can alter the way people see the world, and their place within it. Jerry Pinkney, born on this day in 1939. John Henry, 1994, by Jerry Pinkney Jerry Pinkney http://ow.ly/9JSZ30roM7f

Sailing into the weekend... "Marine View with a Sunset," around 1875, by Claude Monet http://ow.ly/6B9E30ro8o6

Today is the day to make sure your voice is heard. If you haven't already, go out and vote! In PA it's not too late to drop off your mail-in ballot at an official county location and you can still vote in person at your local polling place. #Vote2020 "Ballot-Urn," around 191020, by A. Harlingue http://ow.ly/AJnl30rihzT

Attention students: There's only one week left to save 50% on your yearly membership. For just $20 you get a year of access to our collection, exclusive virtual programs, discounted guest passes, and more. Ready to join? Visit us online or in-person with proof of enrollment through Oct 31. http://ow.ly/v9OE30rgzXG Photo by Elizabeth Leitzell

Enjoy the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show from the comfort of your home. This premier show and sale of contemporary craft and design includes works by the finest craft artists working in the United States today. Visit the Craft Show’s website November 68 to watch livestreams and explore works by featured artists. https://www.pmacraftshow.org/ Work by Craft Show artist Sophia Hu

One of the most admired forms of American folk art, fraktur are decorated documents featuring brilliant colors and often whimsical imagery. Introduced to Pennsylvania by German-speaking immigrants in the 1700s, most fraktur were executed in ink and watercolor and embellished with hearts, flowers, birds, angels, and other lively motifs. See this example in "A Collector’s Vision: Highlights from the Dietrich American Foundation" through November 15. http://ow.ly/jukY30rgzXo "Drawing, Three Women," 1835, attributed to Samuel Gottschall (On loan from the Dietrich American Foundation)

Registration is now open for November's virtual Art Museum Playdates for 4 to 7 year olds and their grown-ups! This month's theme is "Feast Your Eyes:" your tummies will growl while we look at food-filled works of art. Compare a historical kitchen to your own, sketch festive feasts, and create Surrealist recipes. Registration is limited. http://ow.ly/iklP30rhZY6

Happy Halloween! "Carnival Evening," 1886, by Henri-Julien-Félix Rousseau http://ow.ly/CiXp30rhSp8

Kids and their grown-ups can join our virtual trick-or-treating event next Friday at 4:00 p.m. Friendly costumed characters challenge you with riddles, guide you through close looking activities, and share other treats. Best for ages 410. Free event; registration required. http://ow.ly/Ms2i30rgztR

The Philadelphia Museum of Art stands with all Philadelphians who are grieving after the killing of Walter Wallace Jr. at the hands of police. We send our deepest condolences to his friends and family, including his wife, children, and parents. The city we love and serve continues to suffer from needless acts of violence. In the aftermath of this summer’s protests along the Parkway we must all reaffirm that Black Lives Matter. We are reckoning with systemic bias and racial inequities within our own institution, and we believe others must do the same. All Philadelphians deserve to live in a safe, just, and vibrant city, and we will continue to work together toward that future. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis you can call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) 24 hours a day. You can also text 74171.

There are ten days left until the election and we want to make sure you've planned your vote. Whether you still need to take your mail-in ballot to the mailbox or drop off location, you want to vote in person on Nov 3, or you voted weeks ago, we encourage everyone to exercise their right to vote. Still deciding on your plan? The last day to request a mail-in ballot in PA is Oct 27. We're partnering with Plan Your Vote, a 2020 artist initiative, so visit PlanYourVote.org for more resources. #PlanYourVote #Vote2020 Artwork by #JulieMehretu

Robert Rauschenberg, who was born on this day in 1925, challenged traditional categories of art through his inventive combinations of subject matter, materials, and processes. He juxtaposed found images and abstract shapes using paint and traditional silk screening.

This year's Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show meets you wherever you are with a virtual experience. Explore the innovative work of 130 artists from the comfort of your home November 68. View and purchase unique, museum-quality craft directly from the artists. #pmacraftshow #artbyhand https://www.pmacraftshow.org/ Work by Craft Show artist Dwo Wen Chen