Picasso Visits the Capital of the South

The Virginia Museum of Fine Art is the only art museum on the East Coast that is temporary home to the Picasso Masterpiece exhibit on loan from Paris.  This week, a friend and I took the day off to visit Richmond for the first time (besides driving through), and took in in Capital of the South.  The timing could not have been more in sync with other notable events since the Civil War 150 year anniversary celebration are being planned around the coast (more so in the South).    Neither of us had any idea what to expect, and we were pleasantly surprised.  The architecture spoke to old southern charm, and Catytown offered a "main street" with food and shopping choices very close to the Museum.

If you are planning to attend the event - BEWARE!  It is crowded.  We visited mid-week in the morning, and we were still dodging insanely large crowds.  The Museum's first entry point shoved all timed ticket holders into the first room, and you were left to fend for yourself.  It was so crowded, we were grateful that we were tall (and in heels) to see over the children, wheelchairs and the shorter masses.  Crowds lasted through the first three rooms and finally broke up after the hall of sketched.  So, if you are interested in the show, wear platforms and go early.



The show is worth it though... it covered the many periods of Picasso - the blue, the pink/peach, the cubes, the deformities and the endless boobs, enlarged feet and hands.  It showcased paintings, sketches, drafts, photographs, sculptures and various studies.  In short, it was comprehensive and impressive.

After taking in the show, we did lunch in Catytown at the Waterside Grill.  Watched an accident happen right in front of us, retired to shopping in a few shops and missed another accident on the same corner (right in front of the police officer writing up the first.)  We discovered a fantastic spice shop - Penzeys.  There we both indulged in baking fantasies - buying essential and special spices and herbs for much cheaper (and better quality) then my local grocery store.

It was a quick trip to this southern city, but definitely good enough to warrant a return.