Kimbell Art Museum Hosts Impressive Rosa Exhibition

Fort Worth’s Kimbell Art Museum
Photo by Charles Pannell

Slated to run through March 27, 2011, Salvator Rosa: Bandits, Wilderness and Magic, opened to rave reviews last month at Fort Worth’s Kimbell Art Museum. Billed as the first major U.S. exhibition of Salvator Rosa’s work, the exhibition features 36 of the best paintings by this 17th century Italian artist.

Often described as one of the boldest artists and personalities of his time, Rosa was know for his fiercely independent nature and powerfully inventive style. Although he’s best known for his landscapes, his subject matter ranged from scenes of which craft and magic to altarpieces, portraits and even subjects derived from classical literature.

The exhibition is divided into three sections, beginning with a collection of self-portraits and fanciful heads. One of the most impressive pieces in this section is Self-Portrait with a Skull, in which the long-haired Rosa meditates on death. Rosa’s landscapes are featured in the next section, including one that was painted for King Philip IV of Spain. The most spellbinding works of the exhibition are found in the next section, which includes a collection of works focusing on magic and the natural sciences. Lastly, the exhibition concludes with a selection of Rosa’s stunning large figure paintings. Most are little known; but all are intense and eccentric.

Wheelchair-access is excellent at the Kimbell, with plenty of accessible parking near the entrance, plus an accessible drop-off area in front. Inside you’ll find barrier-free access through all the galleries, elevator access to the upper floors and accessible restrooms. And don’t miss their permanent collection which includes everything from European masterpieces and Asian art to Pre-Columbian and African works and Egyptian and Roman antiquities. For more information about the Kimbell Art Museum, visit www.kimbellart.org.

Fort Worth features a wide variety of other cultural attractions, most of which are wheelchair-accessible. It’s a pleasant city to explore for wheelers and slow walkers, so plan on staying a few days. For information about a comfy wheelchair-accessible B&B located just 10 minutes from the Kimbell, read the Innsider column in the Winter 2011 issue of Emerging Horizons.