In the National Constitution Center’s Signers Hall, life-size bronzers of the signers of the Constitution bring home the difficulty of trying to hammer out a document that would please large and small states alike.
“Marguerite” ruby and diamond brooch, Van Cleef & Arpels, Paris, 1969. From Hillwood exhibit, “Spectacular Gems and Jewelry from the Merriweather Post Collection.” / Photo by Square Moose Inc.
Cartier emerald and diamond brooch, 1928. From Hillwood exhibit, “Spectacular Gems and Jewelry from the Merriweather Post Collection.” / Photo by Square Moose Inc.
WASHINGTON DC’sHillwood Museum is dazzling visitors with “Spectacular Gems and Jewelry from the Merriweather Post Collection.” More than 50 pieces from the 1900s through the 1960s belonging to the cereal heiress show that Post recognized that jewelry went beyond adornment to artwork worthy of display.
Among the showstoppers is an emerald and diamond pendant brooch made by Cartier in the 1920s. The fab pin features more than 250 carats of carved Indian emeralds from the Mughal period. More must-sees: a ruby and diamond floral brooch by Van Cleef & Arpels from 1969; a pear-shaped amethyst ring by Verdura and a gold, peridot and diamond brooch by David Webb.
Hillwood is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Suggested donation is $18 for adults ($15 for seniors, $10 for college students, $5 for ages 6 to 18, free for children under 6 and members). The exhibit will run through January 1, 2018.
In Philadelphia, you can’t do anything better for your country than visiting the National Constitution Center. The center’s main exhibit, “The Story of We the People,”with its three concentric rings of interactive exhibits, guides you through top moments in America’s history (see a rare copy of the Emancipation Proclamation) and impresses the hell out of you with the importance of the U.S. Constitution. Then there’s Signers Hall, where you can walk among 42 life-size, bronze statues of the founding fathers who signed (along with some who didn’t) their names to the Constitution on September 17, 1787. The statues range in height from George Washington at 6 feet, 2 inches to James Madison at 5 feet, 4 inches. Sitting down and looking invitingly at visitors is Benjamin Franklin.
The National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Street, is open daily (except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day) Monday to Saturday 9:30am to 5pm, Sunday noon to 5pm. Tickets are $14.50 for adults ($13 for seniors and college students with ID, $11 for ages 6 to 18, military, free for children under 5, military and members).
The Frick Museum in Pittsburgh marks the centennial of American photographer Irving Penn’s birth with “Irving Penn: Beyond Beauty.” The exhibit of 140 photographs includes his glamorous fashion photos, portraits of famous personalties (e.g., Truman Capote, Salvador Dali), still lifes and his late work with found objects (crushed paper cups and cigarette butts).
The Frick, 7227 Reynolds Street, is open Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm, Friday 10am to 9pm. Tickets $10 ($8 for students and seniors, $6 for 16 and under, free for children 5 and under and for active duty military and their immediate families and for members). Free admission for all July 8, July 29 and August 19, 2017, courtesy of the Jack Buncher Foundation. The exhibit will run through September.
