by Jennifer Wilson • Photo by Two Eagles Marcus
The Mona Lisa wears a besotted smile that has many wonder whom has endeared themselves to this mysterious woman. It’s an unanswered question even the most clever of detectives have yet to solve. Yet, we know the lady has grown fond of someone and it will be forever ingrained in portrait form, albeit currently residing in the Louvre in Paris, France.
Grand Rapids has its own enduring love story as well; in the Grand Rapids Art Museum.
It all began with a woman. It always does, doesn’t it? Her portrait resides in a gallery on the third floor of the museum. She wears a stunning crème silk gown along with her opulent opera cloak. She remains seated; glamorous, sophisticated and coy all at the same time. Did she just return from the theater or is she ready to begin her genteel evening? The vivid brush strokes of red in the background of her larger-than-life painting was audacious even for artist William Merritt Chase back in 1893.
It’s her look that astounds you. Who is she staring at that intrigues the young lady in the opera cloak? It’s a look of devotion and irresistibility; it creates a tension in the gallery in which you stand staring at her loveliness. Who is the man that has this woman stirring in a portrait frozen in time over a century ago.
The night watchmen know.
When the art museum closes for nightfall and the lights turn dim, the silent steps of a guard is the only sound you’ll hear. They wander the galleries and ensure the curated treasures come to no harm. It’s then when the story of unrequited love comes alive.
For years, Lady in Opera Cloak has been gazing at a man; a man she has fallen hopelessly in love with. Indeed, it’s a portrait of a man in the gallery directly across from her, but not just any man. According to security chief Matt Jonker, “He’s the luckiest man in the museum.”
If he possesses the heart of the Lady in Opera Cloak he must be. The polished and cultured woman is remarkable to admire. But who is he? Currently, he is on loan from an anonymous donor, and has been for years. Will he stay? Will he leave? There are many questions to this love affair.
Does he deserve her love? Will they work it out? Will his coarse and rugged inherency keep them apart?
“I think it’ll work out,” explains Jonker. We’ll leave that up to the curators if they find each other. For now, the love story remains as they continue to look intently at one another with adoring eyes. Find out for yourself what all of the fuss is about. Visit the Grand Rapids Art Museum and take a gander at who Lady in Opera Cloak is enamored with. This Valentine’s Day, write your own ending to this lasting tale of love and tribulation that has withstood the test of time; much like the Mona Lisa.
And in my humble opinion, the Mona Lisa would be very pleased.
About the painting:
William Merrit Chase
American, 1849-1916
Lady in Opera Cloak, c. 1893
Oil on Canvas
Grand Rapis Art Museum
Gift of Emily J. Clark, 1935 1.4
Jennifer’s music inspiration while writing this article:
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