Just steps from the heart of North Beach
One of the most popular neighborhoods in San Francisco for tourists is the Italian quarter of North Beach. Filled with excellent restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries - a lovely park and Coit Tower; an area where on every block one can smell traces of garlic one moment, espresso the next. It has long been a favorite strolling area for visitors to The City, conveniently situated between China Town and Fisherman's Wharf.
But few tourists (or locals) realize that as they stroll down Columbus Avenue en-route to Fisherman's Wharf - just two blocks up the hill at Chestnut Street lies a little gem of an art treasure - not only open to the public, but both free and virtually undiscovered. It is one of the most interesting murals ever painted by Diego Rivera and is called Making a Fresco (1931). It's located at the San Francisco Art Institute, at 800 Chestnut Street.
But few tourists (or locals) realize that as they stroll down Columbus Avenue en-route to Fisherman's Wharf - just two blocks up the hill at Chestnut Street lies a little gem of an art treasure - not only open to the public, but both free and virtually undiscovered. It is one of the most interesting murals ever painted by Diego Rivera and is called Making a Fresco (1931). It's located at the San Francisco Art Institute, at 800 Chestnut Street.
Making a Fresco - 1931
Invited by architect Timothy L. Pfluger to come to San Francisco to paint a series of murals in the early 30's, it is one of three major works in The City. But this particular mural is quite a treat to the Rivera fan because it is painted in a style know as trompe d'oeil - "trick to the eye".
The work is essentially a mural within a mural - divided into six sections by the very scaffolding used to create it - or so it seems. It is itself a mural about the building of San Francisco and the advance of modernity.
But the trick employed by Rivera also turns the work into a depiction of the mural itself being painted by him and his associates. In-fact, Diego Rivera himself is part of this mural; you see him sitting on the scaffolding with his back to you directing the creation of the very work you're looking at. It is delicious fun for the eye - and a truly unique example of this master's talent.
The work is essentially a mural within a mural - divided into six sections by the very scaffolding used to create it - or so it seems. It is itself a mural about the building of San Francisco and the advance of modernity.
But the trick employed by Rivera also turns the work into a depiction of the mural itself being painted by him and his associates. In-fact, Diego Rivera himself is part of this mural; you see him sitting on the scaffolding with his back to you directing the creation of the very work you're looking at. It is delicious fun for the eye - and a truly unique example of this master's talent.
There he sits - directing the work.
To see this wonderful work just walk in the front entrance to the Art Institute and turn left at the fountain in the courtyard. Walk-in to the auditorium - and there it is on the wall to your right. And more likely than not, you will be completely alone with only the occasional student passing by to disturb your reverie.
And on your way out, take a few moments to stroll the halls of the Art Institute itself. It is a lovely building with student's art displayed throughout and panoramic views of North Beach and San Francisco Bay. And all of this is absolutely free.
A true San Francisco treat!
http://www.sfai.edu/weeblylink_new_window
And on your way out, take a few moments to stroll the halls of the Art Institute itself. It is a lovely building with student's art displayed throughout and panoramic views of North Beach and San Francisco Bay. And all of this is absolutely free.
A true San Francisco treat!
http://www.sfai.edu/weeblylink_new_window
The building itself is worth the visit.
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