When I was a boy one of my favorite games was “Masterpiece”. It was a board game based upon the same principles as ‘Monopoly’. The difference is in this one you buy paintings instead of houses and hotels. There were twenty-four paintings in total. After countless plays I grew quite familiar found of them, although I never learned all their titles. Later in life I realized they all reside The Art Institute of Chicago. * I don’t know if the game was purposely trying to get one to ‘appreciate art” but it worked for me. Thanks to ‘Masterpiece’ I developed a lifelong appreciation of art museums. I still enjoy learning about art, especially of which I am not familiar.
I recently did on-line research to locate the twenty-four paintings to (finally learn their names and their painters.
Just for the fun of it, I present to you some of the paintings from Masterpiece – along with docent narratives I made at ten years old. I hope I don’t give Laurent chest pains.
This painting is titled “Madame Green Face”. There is a lot of ugly people in this painting but it’s so cool.
This guy doesn’t know how to paint portraits it’s all jumbles.
I could do this one.
And this one too but it’s prettier.
This is real painting. I don’t know why people don’t paint stuff like this anymore.
This is soooo cool! I just love it!
We have something like this hanging at home in our living room. Mother says it is a ‘Monet’. I think Monet is French for the style of painting which is dabbing and not drawing straight lines. I was disappointed to find out our Monet isn’t real but a copy. I think I will get Mother a real Monet for Christmas this year.
How did the food stop from going bad ? I guess the painter had to paint real quick.
This one was painted by a woman! I didn’t know they had women painters!
People painted different back then.
This one looks like a photograph.
We have a picture of John the Baptist too, but ours got more trimmings.
This one is another way cool awesome painting although it looks scary too.
Landscapes are boring.
*Oh to go back to Chicago and spend an day at the AIC in a scavenger hunt to see all 24 in real life ! Yes I must do this and soon.
31 comments
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June 21, 2018 at 1:35 AM
mitchellismoving
I had never heard of that game. Love your idea of going to AIC to see all the originals. And, as for Jackson Pollock… Don’t you wish you had thought of it first? !!!
June 21, 2018 at 7:25 AM
Urspo
I hope the AIC kept everything, for sometimes things get sold.
Mr. Pollock thought of it first alas, so all else is derivative.
June 21, 2018 at 3:42 AM
David
I will be back in Chicago in November. Have you tried painting? It can be quiet relaxing.
June 21, 2018 at 7:26 AM
Urspo
Yes, I’ve painted and drawn. My mother has some of my early works framed and hung in the family room. Oh the pain.
June 21, 2018 at 3:42 AM
WARPed
As a kid, you were a decent docent.
🙂
-Andy
June 21, 2018 at 7:26 AM
Urspo
What I lacked in objectivity and knowledge I made up with enthusiasm.
June 21, 2018 at 5:48 AM
Raybeard
Did you ever see, or are familiar with, the play, ‘Art’ by Yasmina Reza? I’d say you’d really appreciate it – just as I did.
June 21, 2018 at 7:27 AM
Urspo
Yes, I saw it. I don’t remember the nuance but it had good points.
June 21, 2018 at 5:57 AM
Debra She Who Seeks
Yes, Laurent will have a stern word with you, young man.
June 21, 2018 at 7:29 AM
Urspo
Sssssh ! Laurent is quite busy these days so he’s not likely to drop by. I shudder at this imprecations on behalf of proper docents everywhere at my ten year old attempt at taking his job.
June 21, 2018 at 9:02 AM
mcpersonalspace54
I had forgotten all about the game Masterpiece. It was one of my favorites as a kid!
June 21, 2018 at 9:14 AM
Urspo
I would have forgotten it as well but for the paintings.
June 21, 2018 at 11:25 AM
larrymuffin
Sorry, a 10 year old would be more observant of art. This must be a 6 year old with way too much candy sugar in him so his mind is very confused. On the other hand it could be the observations of a 45+ year old. I got an idea, this year on your visit to Canada we will visit art museums 8 hrs a day and it will be all in French. That should help you in understanding art.
June 21, 2018 at 11:33 AM
Urspo
I think this is a good idea. I will be the Eve Harrington of The Society of French-speaking docents and Clever Ones.
June 21, 2018 at 11:33 AM
earnestlydebra
Thanks for sharing those. “The Rock” makes me wonder if Peter Blume was an inspiration to Thomas Hart Benton’s work.
June 21, 2018 at 2:12 PM
Urspo
When I first saw the painting I was fascinated – it still does
June 21, 2018 at 11:51 AM
anne marie in philly
the first painting pictured is a Toulouse-Lautrec; I’d recognize it anywhere. T-L is my fave painter.
June 21, 2018 at 11:53 AM
anne marie in philly
I believe the second one is picasso’s “woman”. toward the bottom is edward hopper.
June 21, 2018 at 2:14 PM
Urspo
The Picasso is of someone named Slyvette David. Fascinating.
June 21, 2018 at 2:13 PM
Urspo
He is a fascinating painter, yes
June 21, 2018 at 7:49 PM
Practical Parsimony
I never played that, but have heard of it. It is not something I have thought of or remembered. You made a decent docent.
June 21, 2018 at 9:31 PM
Urspo
I thank you although I hope my knowledge base is better than when I was ten. By the way I still haven’t gotten Mother a Monet.
June 22, 2018 at 3:29 PM
Practical Parsimony
When I dated this guy, I exclaimed over a Renoir, Monet or some painting on tv. He said, “Maybe we can find one around town for you.” Well, at the moment what I knew was confirmed–he was not for me.
June 21, 2018 at 9:57 PM
wcs
Ah, yes. Masterpiece. And Clue. I preferred them to Risk. I could never pronounce Urkutsk. Or was it Irkutsk? Can’t remember.
June 24, 2018 at 4:50 PM
Urspo
I would be curious to go back and look at the cards/their names. I recall they were definitely not based on actual nation borders. Some of the names seemed gibberish.
June 22, 2018 at 3:23 AM
Todd Gunther
The one painted by a woman resembles a Rockwell up to a point. Rockwell would have made his background more detailed and “busy”. These are all are fine paintings.
June 24, 2018 at 4:51 PM
Urspo
I agree in a way they are all fine painting. Some just seem more ‘fine’ to me than the others.
June 22, 2018 at 8:32 AM
truthspew
Or just hit the Boston MFA and see the one entitled Automedon and the Horses of Achilles. If ever one could wish that quantum mechanics worked in such way that the billowing robe would just move a little to his left.
June 24, 2018 at 4:50 PM
Urspo
I have seen this painting yes. It does make one wonder….
June 24, 2018 at 9:38 PM
Ron
Lovely all, even the landscape. The painting next to last is a Hopper
June 25, 2018 at 7:16 AM
Urspo
Yes they are all lovely