Chicago: Art Museum

Diana had been to the Art Institute of Chicago quite a bit as a child. I guess that comes with having an artist as a father. I had never gone as a child, but went a couple times with friends, and went every year when I was teaching in Indiana. We both deeply love it and were so excited to go back for the first time in many years. We weren't so sure how Ledger would feel about the place, this being the first time he had ever been to an art museum. Turns out, he absolutely adored the place! Granted, one of the features we were most excited about when we got there was the fact that it had air conditioning! But we soon shifted gears and really engaged with the art and artifacts on display. 

We made our way through some of the exhibits, finding the big rooms full of little doll furniture. Diana was in heaven! She dismissed us away and said that she was going to take her time and we should continue on without her. Ledger and I made our way through the museum and saw all the greatest hits, works by Hopper, Picasso, Seurat, and all the rest. Ledger was impressed and loved checking it all out and taking it in. He was really inspired by some of the pieces and impressed with others. One area that he was baffled by was the modern art wing. You and me both, kid! It was really funny, as we were walking through the modern area he said, 'why can't any of the women in the artwork put on any clothes?!?' fair question, son! Eventually we met back up with Diana, after she spend an hour or two with the little furniture, and checked out the parts we hadn't seen yet. What we expected to take an hour or two ended up taking the whole day! She and I both were delighted at how much Ledger loved the art museum and the whole experience! Exhausted, hot, and with achy feet, we made our way back to the hotel for a little late afternoon nap.

(more pics)