This is the third in a four-part series this month about the Ringling Museum's summer show of paintings and sculptures by 20th century biggies - and we own it, you and me. This state museum's Modern Art collection, like its Baroque collection, belongs to all Floridians. In storage most of the time, Modern Art doesn't get out very often, so go see what's yours before it goes back in the stockpile.
You may associate the Ringling Museum with the epic paintings of Peter Paul Rubens, a star in the 17th century. But our treasure house boasts the art of modern giants, too. In the second of a four-part series, this column takes a look at the paintings of Grace Hartigan and Phillip Pearlstein. And just as Rubens' art reflected its time, the work of these two is a kind of billboard for theirs.
When you think of the Ringling Museum, flying cupids and the high drama of 17th century art comes to mind. But think again. Through the summer, this bastion of the Baroque is showing off its small but nifty collection of modern painting and sculpture. Accordingly, for the few remaining weeks in July, this column will feature a few of these exhibiting artists who made modern art history, beginning with Robert Rauschenberg, who died recently.
The art in today's column is showing in a theater lobby. This isn't as untraditional as you might think. While art galleries are the usual exhibit halls, a performing-arts venue is an old-time showcase for art in Sarasota.
