'She Said' is for hardcore only

Zoe Kazan, left, is Jodi Kantor, and Carey Mulligan is Megan Twohey in She Said

The film She Said is for journalists and those interested in the development of the #MeToo movement.

Do we need to be reminded?

The film is a docudrama, well presented with good acting, enlightening, but not entertaining and, frankly, depressing. A little too dry, monochromatic. 

The American Film Institute calls it one of 2022's "best films," but it's not on my list, few films I saw anyway.

Although it's only the back of a Harvey Weinstein, it's revolting enough to recall what he did. The film outlines his unraveling. Hang him high.

New York Times reporters Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor wrote the book (published in 2019) of the same title and are portrayed in the film by Carey Mulligan and Zoe Kazan. 

Let's hope Megan Twohey's daughter does not grow up repeating her mother's vile language.

patricialesli@gmail.com

Vermeer is worth the wait

The Lacemaker, oil on canvas, National Gallery of Art, Andrew W. Mellon Collection

Woman Holding a Balance, c. 1664, oil on canvas, National Gallery of Art, Widener Collection

The truth comes out.

Whether it’s fake Vermeer or real Vermeer, the wait at the National Gallery of Art is worth it. 

A few Sundays ago the delay to get in the Vermeer galleries was 20 minutes.

Between Christmas and New Year's, the wait had increased to about  two hours, with reservations closing for the day at 2 p.m., a docent told me.

She advised getting on the virtual list to see Vermeer (this is the last weekend!) no later than noon, and even better,  10 a.m. when the Gallery opens. 

The National Gallery closes every day at 5 p.m. and she said going through the show takes only 15 minutes but like my experience, "there's a lot of reading, and folks are staying longer."

A Lady Writing, c. 1665, oil on canvas, National Gallery of Art, Gift of Harry Waldron Havemeyer and Horace Havemeyer, Jr., in memory of their father, Horace Havemeyer

The Smiling Girl  , oil on canvas, National Gallery of Art, Andrew W. Mellon Collection

The Vermeer galleries are not large, only big enough to accommodate a precious few at one time.

The museum's website says visitors may get on the virtual list at any of the information desks.

Girl with the Red Hat, c. 1669, oil on panel, National Gallery of Art, Andrew W. Mellon Collection

Girl with a Flute, c. 1669/1675, oil on panel, National Gallery of Art, Widener Collection

In October, the Gallery announced that what had been thought to be a Vermeer is not a Vermeer, discovered after decades of research by curators, conservators, and scientists.

Who said covid was all bad? 

The covid time break permitted the Vermeer team to conduct exhaustive research, expanding a half-century of technical study, to reveal that the work was rendered by an associate, a freelancer, or even a family member at a possible Vermeer school. 

Because only 35 Vermeers are known to exist, researchers have thought for years that  Vermeer had no students, but that was before a deep dive which used X-ray fluorescence imaging spectroscopies to prove that Vermeer experimented with new techniques, post-dating one work from 1666-1667 to c. 1669.

The National Gallery owns three (previously four) Vermeer originals which rarely go off-view. 

Can you pick out the real Vermeers from the ones shown here? (Answers are at the end.*)

Once you see the differences, it's not terribly difficult to recognize the genius from "Vermeer nots," two which were found to be forgeries after they were admitted to the museum in 1937. 

Go here to read about more about the mysterious Dutch artist (1632-1675) who produced many works with light coming from a window on the left, mostly of women, some with men who seem to be trying to get the young women drunk. (Some things never change!)

Vermeer's Secrets was organized by the National Gallery of Art and curated by Marjorie E.  Wieseman, curator and head, and Alexandra Libby, associate curator, department of Northern European painting, National Gallery of Art.

Conservation research and technical imaging at the National Gallery were provided by Dina Anchin, associate paintings conservator; John K. Delaney, senior imaging scientist; Kathryn A. Dooley, imaging scientist; E. Melanie Gifford, conservation scientist (retired); and Lisha Deming Glinsman, conservation scientist (retired).

Enjoy!

What: Vermeer's Secrets

When: Through January 8, 2023. The National Gallery hours are 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily.

Where: West Building, Ground Floor, G33-G34, National Gallery of Art, 6th and Constitution, Washington

How much: Admission is always free at the National Gallery of Art.

Metro stations for the National Gallery of Art:
Smithsonian, Federal Triangle, Navy Memorial-Archives, or L'Enfant Plaza

For more information: (202) 737-4215

Accessibility information: (202) 842-6905

* "Vermeer nots":  Girl With a Flute (new discovery!). Two long-ago discovered forgeries after they entered the museum's collection in 1937 are The Smiling Girl and The Lacemaker, both c. 1925.

patricialesli@gmail.com

'Princess Grace' bows out of Hillwood this weekend

Welcome to Grace of Monaco, Princess in Dior , Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens/Photo by Patricia Leslie

At Grace of Monaco, Princess in Dior , Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens/Photo by Patricia Leslie

At Grace of Monaco, Princess in Dior , Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Here Princess Grace is pictured in a silk crepe on the cover of Elle, August 17, 1967 wearing the dress above. At Grace of Monaco, Princess in Dior , Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens/Photo  of the cover by Patricia Leslie

The Princess wore this gown (the back, pictured below) of silk georgette, pearls, and sequins when she was a presenter at Frank Sinatra's first "farewell" celebration at the Los Angeles Music Center in 1971 and at the American Film Institute Life Achievement Awards ceremony for director John Ford in 1973. At Grace of Monaco, Princess in Dior , Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens/Photo by Patricia Leslie

The back of the gown on the left, described above. The Princess wore the orange gown on the right at the Motor Yacht Club de la Cote d'Azur Gala in Cannes in 1970 and to the Cannes Film Festival in 1972 when she was escorted by director Alfred Hitchcock. At Grace of Monaco, Princess in Dior , Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens/Photo by Patricia Leslie

At Grace of Monaco, Princess in Dior, Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens/Photo by Patricia Leslie

This is one of my favorites in the show (the other one, shown below).  It's called, according to the label copy, a "Diorama" cocktail dress of silk chiffon, from 1965.  At Grace of Monaco, Princess in Dior, Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens/Photo by Patricia Leslie

See Princess Grace wearing this gown as she was pictured on the cover of Paris Match below.  At Grace of Monaco, Princess in Dior , Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens/Photo by Patricia Leslie

At Grace of Monaco, Princess in Dior , Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens/Photo by Patricia Leslie

The Princess is pictured in the dress above on the cover of Paris Match, Jan. 26, 1957. At Grace of Monaco, Princess in Dior, Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens/Photo of the cover by Patricia Leslie

The Princess wore this day dress of silk twill to the first European backgammon tournament in Monte Carlo in 1973.  At Grace of Monaco, Princess in Dior , Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Detail from the day dress above at Grace of Monaco, Princess in Dior , Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Does this strike you as rather dowdy for a princess...or for anyone? Yet Princess Grace wore this day dress of silk crepe at the civil wedding ceremony of her eldest daughter, Princess Caroline and Philippe Junot, in Monaco in 1978.  Maybe, Princess Grace was trying to express her lack of joy at the marriage which only lasted two years. At Grace of Monaco, Princess in Dior,  Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens/Photo by Patricia Leslie

At Grace of Monaco, Princess in Dior , Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens/Photo by Patricia Leslie

The Princess wore this green gown on several occasions, including the Nice Opera in 1976 and the Literary Council of Monaco dinner in 1973.  At Grace of Monaco, Princess in Dior , Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens/Photo by Patricia Leslie

This was part of the Princess's wardrobe in 1970, an evening tunic in silk crepe and tassels. At Grace of Monaco, Princess in Dior , Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Her hair design was created by Alexandre de Paris for the Bal des Petits Lits Blancs (Ball of the Little White Beds) in Monaco in 1966. At Grace of Monaco, Princess in Dior, Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens/Photo of the design by Patricia Leslie

Pictured with Prince Rainier at the Bal des Petits Lits Blancs (Ball of the Little White Beds) in Monaco in 1966. At Grace of Monaco, Princess in Dior, Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens/Photo of a photo by Patricia Leslie

Her hair design was created by Alexandre de Paris for the Bal de la Croix Rouge (Red Cross Ball) where she is pictured below.  At Grace of Monaco, Princess in Dior , Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens/Photo of the design by Patricia Leslie

With Frank Sinatra at the Bal de la Croix Rouge Ball in 1980. At Grace of Monaco, Princess in Dior exhibition, Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens/Photo of a photo by Patricia Leslie

The bracelet on the top is about 1925, and the brooches, 1910 - 1925, all made of diamonds and platinum. The christening bracelet (bottom) is from 1982, of diamonds and white gold.  At Grace of Monaco, Princess in Dior exhibition, Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens/Photo by Patricia Leslie

The evening bags are of woven gold, platinum, diamonds, gold mesh, sapphires, pearls, white and pink diamonds, metallic silk, gold, and turquoises.  The larger compact between the purses is engraved "For Grace, November, 1968." At Grace of Monaco, Princess in Dior exhibition, Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens/Photo by Patricia Leslie

That's a gold wristwatch and a Cartier brooch of turquoise, citrine, diamonds, and gold, both from 1970 at Grace of Monaco, Princess in Dior,, Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Welcome to Grace of Monaco, Princess in Dior , Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Welcome to Grace of Monaco, Princess in Dior , Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Welcome to Grace of Monaco, Princess in Dior , Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens/Photo by Patricia Leslie

The entrance to the Hillwood Estate/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Readers, if you care anything about fashion, this is a "must-see" exhibition with gowns, daywear (different from yours and mine), hair styles, jewelry, and fashion accessories in the first Princess Grace wardrobe showing in North America. On display are designs made from her enduring relationship with the house of Christian Dior (1905-1957) whose clothes made up about a third of the Princess's wardrobe.  

The items are on loan from the Palace of Monaco.

Princess Grace was married to Prince Rainier III of Monaco (1923-2005) for 26 years.  They married in 1956, a true love affair cut short by her death in 1982 as a result of a traffic accident when she suffered a stroke. Prince Rainier never remarried and in photographs after her death, always appeared wistful and lost without his mate. A love tale ending too soon as they all do.

According to Wikipedia, Grace (1929-1982) was inaugurated into the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame in 1960, and in 1955 the Custom Tailored Guild of America listed her as the "Best-Tailored Woman."  Numerous exhibitions have been held of her life and clothing including an exhibition at the Philadelphia Museum of Art to mark the 50th anniversary of her marriage in 2006 which displayed her wedding dress, which took 35 tailors six weeks to finish. 

A retrospective of her wardrobe was held at London's Victoria and Albert Museum in 2010 and at other venues. 

In 2009, a plaque was placed on the "Rodeo Drive Walk of Style" in recognition of her contributions to style and fashion.

Before she married the Prince, Grace Patricia Kelly won an Academy Award in 1954 for her role in The Country Girl, and appeared in ten other movies and more than 60 television shows

It is fitting rapprochement that Grace appears at Marjorie Merriweather Post's elegant mansion for the two had much in common with their haute couture choices and refined living.  

Go and mingle with glamour and feel shared sophistication! It is true, darling. The refinement of the apparel worn by Princess Grace of Monaco  and the grandeur found at Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens has a noble afterglow for visitors who can assume the style and "grace" presented.

The exhibition was organized by the Christian Dior Museum of Granville and curated by Florence Müller, Avenir Foundation Curator of Textile Art and Fashion, Denver Art Museum.

What:  Grace of Monaco:  Princess in Dior

When:  Now through Sunday, January 8, 2023, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

Where:  Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20008

Tickets:  $18 (adults), $15 (seniors), $10 (college students), $5 (child, ages 5 -18) and free for members and those under age 6.

Parking:  Free, on-site

For more information:  202-686-5807

Metro station: Van Ness/UDC station on the Red Line, then walk a (mostly uphill) mile and burn off calories.  (Taxis, available.)

Metro bus stop: The L1 or L2 bus stops at the corner of Connecticut and Tilden streets, NW, about a half mile walk (mostly uphill) to Hillwood.

patricialesli@gmail.com

Let the American History Museum entertain you!

The entrance to Entertainment Nation, National Museum of American History/Photo by Patricia Leslie
 

This is Althea Gibson's Wimbledon uniform when she won the women's singles title in 1957, the first black player to win the title there and at the U.S. National Championship. Displayed at Entertainment Nation, National Museum of American History/Photo by Patricia Leslie

When the Dixie Chicks (now, just the Chicks) spoke out against George Bush and his Iraq war in 2006, they endured immediate backlash which didn't stop them from becoming the best-selling all-woman band and best-selling country group in the US. At the time I went right out and immediately bought two of their albums to show my support for the Chicks. This is a poster at Entertainment Nation, National Museum of American History/Photo by Patricia Leslie

In 1992 Kristi Yamaguchi became the first Asian American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in figure skating. Her grandparents had been held captive by the U.S. government in a Japanese internment camp in World War II.  Her signed 1990s skates and photo are at Entertainment Nation, National Museum of American History/Photo by Patricia Leslie

This is Cyndi Lauper's outfit from the cover of her solo debut album, She's So Unusual (1983). At Entertainment Nation, National Museum of American History/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Who remembers Howdy Doody?  He's here, too, at Entertainment Nation, National Museum of American History with Mr. Rogers's red sweater and shoes/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Thank you, Billie Jean King for beating that rascal and "male chauvinist pig" (his words) Bobby Riggs in 1973 in a heralded moment in tennis!  This is the uniform she wore in the "Battle of the Sexes" match. At Entertainment Nation, National Museum of American History/Photo by Patricia Leslie

The Lone Ranger and Tonto are here, too. This is a mask Clayton Moore wore as the Lone Ranger, 1949-1957, found at Entertainment Nation, National Museum of American History/Photo by Patricia Leslie

This is the Cardinal Wolsey costume worn by actress Charlotte Cushman around 1857 at the Entertainment Nation exhibition/Photo by Patricia Leslie

No need to identify these celebs at Entertainment Nation, National Museum of American History/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Prince's "yellow cloud" guitar from 1983 at Entertainment Nation, National Museum of American History/Photo by Patricia Leslie

All those area stranded Southwest Airlines customers waiting at National Airport must have found their way to the National Mall for that's where it seems like thousands converged like it was July 4th in December,  but, maybe it's always like this during Christmas week.

Anyway, it’s been a long time since I’ve been to the National Museum of American History, one of my stopping places during Christmas break.

At the information counter, I told the volunteer I was an area resident, searching for something new at the museum.  

Did he have any recommendations?

"Well," he said, "there’s the entertainment section which is new. I was up there about 30 minutes ago, and it was like…" and he trailed off like it was the Southwest Airlines counter at everywhere.

He was right; Entertainment Nation was crazy packed, like Disney World in a museum, the place was slammed, but not crowded enough that you couldn't move pretty fast through the aisleways if you know how to manuever.

But where was my fave, Michael Jackson? Maybe I missed him amidst all the people. 

Nowhere could I find Michael but there was Prince and his yellow guitar, and Cyndi Lauper's dress and Diana Ross's dress and lots more. Even, Mr. Rogers's sweater! 

It's Howdy Doody Time! 

But, no Michael.

Photographs by Richard Avedon adjacent to Entertainment Nation at the National Museum of American History/Photo by Patricia Leslie

The reading room at the Richard Avedon photo show at the National Museum of American History/Photo by Patricia Leslie 

 

The reading room at the Richard Avedon photo show at the National Museum of American History/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Meanwhile, across the hallway was a Richard Avedon exhibition, a disorganized mess and confusing to boot. He (1923-2004) was THE photographer of famous persons, just a few of whom are included in this maze.

The subjects are not identified with their pictures. No, across the aisle are labels with names and you only have to walk back and forth across the aisle to see who is pictured "left" and who is "far left" and who is "right" and who is "far right" and "center," and upstairs and downstairs, and there will be a test at the end to see if you can still walk straight.

A wheel chair would be useful at this presentation and the museum has a few to loan out!

The best part of the Richard Avedon show is the reading room where visitors may sit (or sleep, depending upon energy level) in comfortable chairs and leaf through actual copies of old (like 50 years old!) Life magazines, Highlights for Children, and more.

The magazines' advertisements are the best parts ("Do not let baby sleep on pillows!" admonishes one with a drawing of a mother tucking her baby on top of a pillow), and include many "motion picture" ads and a feature on It's A Wonderful Life!

Thank you, Richard Avedon's estate, for donating (I am guessing) these photos to the Smithsonian, but this exhibition could stand for reorganization, if you will.

I think I've figured out Michael Jackson's omission: his estate has not donated anything. Is that right? It is unfathomable that the Smithsonian with all its possessions would omit Michael Jackson from this inaugural exhibit so...

Please, Michael Jackson Estate if you are reading this, donate something, anything (THE glove? A show costume? P l e a s e) to the Smithsonian Institution so we all can enjoy it and not have his likeness and belongings omitted from this grand exhibition! Thank you for consideration.

And, thank you, contributors, for your gifts to the nation so we may see them up close and personal.

Applause to the Smithsonian for including all labels in Spanish, too!

And, if hungry, take your big wallet to NMAH. The fixuns' at the Museum's cafeteria ain't cheap. No charge for mustard!

What: Entertainment Nation "will feature a powerful, ever-changing selection of objects and interactive experiences" embracing theater, television, film, music and sports.

When: Now through "ongoing." The Museum is open daily, 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. but hours on New Year's Day and January 2, 2023 hours may vary. Call to find out: 202-633-1000.

Where: National Museum of American History, 1300 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20560. Museum entrances are located on Constitution Avenue on the first floor and Madison Drive (National Mall) on the second floor. There may be a short wait to enter the building.For more information: 202- 633-1000

Tickets: Always free admission at NMAH!

Metro stations: The Smithsonian and the Federal Triangle stations.

patricialesli@gmail.com