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Judith H. Dobrzynski on Culture

“Masterpiece” Column Is A Treasure

You don’t often get to write in newspapers or magazines about works of art that have been in collections for decades — after all, what’s the news value?

180px-Alexander_Sarcophagus.jpgThat’s one reason I love the Saturday column in The Wall Street Journal called “Masterpiece: Anatomy of a Classic.” Every week someone describes and details what makes a work worthy of the distinction. Today, I had one about the Alexander sarcophagus in Instanbul’s archeological museum; here’s the link. (There’s one error: the WSJ picture is mis-captioned: that’s a side panel, showing the Battle of Gazza, not Alexander at the battle of Issus — illustrated in the picture here.) 

I’ve written a handful of these pieces, and they’re a joy. My favorite is “Staring Durer in the Face,” about his 1500 self-portrait as Christ. (If that’s behind the pay wall, it’s also posted on my website here.)

These pieces are not just about visual art. Nicely, the WSJ takes a broader view. In recent weeks, the column has examined Daniel Burnham’s 1909 Plan of Chicago, Eric Ambler’s “A Coffin For Dimitrios,”  and the Eiffel Tower. There’ve been films, buildings, and musical works, too.

It’s always worth a look, even if you don’t agree with the choices.

 

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About Judith H. Dobrzynski

Now an independent journalist, I've worked as a reporter in the culture and business sections of The New York Times, and been the editor of the Sunday business section and deputy business editor there as well as a senior editor of Business Week and the managing editor of CNBC, the cable TV

About Real Clear Arts

This blog is about culture in America as seen through my lens, which is informed and colored by years of reporting not only on the arts and humanities, but also on business, philanthropy, science, government and other subjects. I may break news, but more likely I will comment, provide

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