The Clark Art Institute

One of the main reasons for this trip was to visit the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, in the far northwest corner of Massachusetts. They have two paintings I've wanted to see for years: Gainsborough's "Elizabeth and Thomas Linley" and Piero della Franscesca's "Virgin and Child Enthroned with Four Angels."

Getting to the Clark is no easy feat. We took the subway out of Boston to Newton, where we rented a car. (The car they gave us was a Hyundai Tiburon, a black pile of junk with chrome and wheels.) We went west on the Massachusetts Turnpike to Lee, then headed north. We got turned around in Pittsfield but still made it to Williamstown by 2:30.

The Clark is free during the winter so we waltzed right in and hurried to the galleries: I wanted to see my paintings! As soon as we entered the permanent collection area, there was the Gainsborough staring right towards me, as if welcoming me at last after all these years.

The Gainsborough is gorgeous, and far more lovely in person than any reproduction could ever be. It's breathtaking.

Gainsborough's "Elizabeth and Thomas Linley" and detail of Thomas' face

Then I went to the early Italian room and there was the Piero. What a majestic, powerful painting!

Piero's "Virgin and Child"

Terri and I spent the rest of the afternoon oohing and aahing at the Clark until it closed at 5, and are going back there this morning. I know that not everyone shares our passion for paintings and museums, so I will simply say that the Clark Art Institute, while small, has one of the finest collections we've seen, anywhere. We like it second only to our own hometown Kimbell, and think it's much better than the renowned Barnes Collection in Philadelphia.

Visit the Clark Art Institute online.

After revisiting the Clark we'll head east on the Mohawk Trail and spend the night in Waltham. We return the rent car on Monday morning and then take the subway back into Boston.