Chicago, day 3, a little culture at the Art Institute of Chicago

After we had eaten our tacos we left the market for Chicago's Art Institute. This is one of the oldest galleries in the USA, and the second largest after the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. It was founded in 1879 and housed in a building dating from 1893 but with a number of additions built to house the increasing collection. The latest extension is the Modern Wing designed by Renzo Piano.
We travelled there via the Berghoff Restaurant (unfortunately we did not dine there). This was opened in 1898 and has become a Chicago landmark. It is still owned by the Berghoff family.
The sunshine was very bright and contrasty but created a lovely dappled effect on the front of the restaurant. The glass fronted buildings were all reflecting their neighbours and sharp blades of light were cutting through the elevated train track.






We arrived at the Art Institute and Mike dropped us off as he was going to collect his sister Emma from the airport. Emma had not wanted to forgo a little Chicago experience so had come to join Anne, Mike and myself.


I went to an exhibition of Japanese protest photography, Provoke, which was quite extensive. I tried doing some long exposure photography while I was there to little purpose.


Anne and I met up again and walked through the museum to find the Chagall window, a very large piece of blue decorated glass, which is stunningly beautiful. We passed a Georgia O'Keefe on the way. I can only show a couple of fragments from the window.





We had a cup of tea in the modern wing and spent most of the afternoon in there.
Here is a taster from this wonderful selection. In order they are by Lawrence Weiner, Rothko, Katherine Fritsch, Jeff Koons x 2 and Paul Klee. 







We also went to seen `Nighthawks' by Edward Hopper. I was hoping to see American Gothic but it was in London at the time.


Here are some more general views of the café and the galleries.




















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