The Great Escape: Finding Solace in Art

Every so often we need a break from our busy lives to relax. While a vacation is a great solution, there are simple diversions that can give your eyes a rest from staring at screens and blue light sources, and instead use our imagination.

Temporarily escaping or distracting ourselves from reality has been a remedy throughout history, but it became a trend during the Great Depression (1929–1933) as a way to deal with the hardships of life. Magazines, radio programs, and movies, were all aimed at helping people mentally escape from the mass poverty and economic downturn by focusing on comedic and lighthearted topics or plotlines.

We all deserve to treat ourselves to moments of relaxation. What better way to do that than by escaping into art. Here are a handful of favorites from interns and staff at the CMA.

Oh, the humanity in these Egyptian portraits.

I could get lost in the Egyptian gallery for hours, but the pieces that always make me stop and stare are the Fayum mummy portraits. Egyptian art is noted for being formal and idealistic, but these portraits are filled with depth, complexity, and humanity. Interestingly, they were painted during the subject’s life and then cut down and bound into the deceased’s mummy after death. In this way, the spirit of each person is also connected to the portraits, infusing them with a sense of life that traditional stone reliefs often lack. It is especially transfixing to think about what the subjects of these portraits were like in everyday life, particularly in comparison to the grand pharaohs and priests shown in the rest of the gallery.

— Cameron Findlay, Collections Management Summer 2021 Intern

Who says the artwork you get lost in should only be one-dimensional? We could get lost in all the curves of this object.

Delicate sprays of lily of the valley drape across this comb by French designer René Lalique. When I look at decorative arts in the museum’s collection, I am instantly transported. I like to imagine what type of person would have worn this comb. Where were they going? Was it a special occasion? How would it feel to hold this opulent accessory, made of horn, enamel, and gold, or to wear it in my own hair?

Jeptha Homer Wade II, a founder of the Cleveland Museum of Art, purchased this comb, probably for his wife, Ellen Garretson Wade. The Wades were enthusiastic collectors of gems and jewelry and bought the comb from Lalique’s shop after admiring his work at the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1900.

— Stephanie Foster, Lead Interpretive Planner

Meditate on the depth and blue-green hues of this color etching and aquatint.

There is nothing like diving into a body of water in the heat of summertime. The glimmering aquamarine water of Michael Mazur’s Pond Edge II appears refreshing and inviting. When my mind searches for solace, I envision myself floating in an aquatic microcosm in the same way the dark turquoise lily pads do in this piece. The whimsical illusions of light and undefined depth create a space that I could spend hours contemplating, trying to memorize each line and shape but always finding something new and fascinating to ponder. To me, the orange, violet, brown, and rosy gray splotches floating alongside the greenery resemble blossoms, some with roots that curl beneath the surface tying them to the rest of the botanical grove. The water is limited only by the margins of the paper, causing me to wonder what lies beyond the pond’s edge.

— Audrey Chan, Warshawsky Fellow in Interpretation

Let your mind sweep over the placid scenery and brush strokes in this Chinese hanging scroll.

Like many people, the pandemic still drives much of my daily life. While I’m not quite comfortable traveling and being in crowded spaces, I spend countless hours dreaming of the perfect vacation. My ideal get away is one where I can escape the excitement of the city and the demands that come with motherhood and my career, which is why I love this hanging scroll depicting two fishermen in a stream. In this season of my life, I find the sense of peace and tranquility here extremely enticing. The calmness of the river and the serenity of the mountains are also appealing to me. When I look at this image, I can almost hear the gentle flow of the water and the sounds of birds chirping in the background.

— Rachel Arzuaga, Interpretive Planner

Become lost in the details and narrate a story of your creation.

Lucas Cranach’s Hunting near Hartenfels Castle is a majestic oil painting that transports me to the scene of a mid-sixteenth century hunt. What originally appears to be a tranquil and peaceful outdoor scene is quickly realized to be one of despair and horror. While the sport serves as an escape from daily life for the armed participants, it is a horror for those being hunted. Throughout the work, I notice various forest animals scattered across the canvas, both fleeing and in pursuit of those attempting to bring them harm. Possibly the most compelling part of this work is in the upper left corner where a bear can be seen grasping a hound underneath its arm, while using its other paw to swat at armed pursuers. Cranach displays the hunters and the hunted — those escaping to peace and those escaping from conflict.

— Daniel Noel, Program Coordinator, Collection & Exhibition Programs

Now it’s your turn. Which artwork from the CMA collection lets you escape? Journey through the galleries or go to the CMA’s Collection Online and peruse at your leisure. Once you come back to reality, share your story in the comments!

Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escapism