By Victoria Pevzner ‘24 A&E Writter

When I was younger, I loved to look at all types of art. My family and I used to go to the art museums in New York City, where I was exposed to famous artists, sculptors, and designers from all over the world. This fueled my passion for understanding different cultures because each artist brings something from their own culture into their work. When I got older and more busy, we stopped going to museums as often. However, with the pandemic, many of our weekends freed up. 

Now, as places have started to reopen, we have found time to go to museums again. Recently, my family drove to Glen Falls, NY to do a lot of outdoor activities around Lake George. After doing some research, we discovered the Hyde Museum, a well known museum with a unique, world-class collection including pieces by Picasso, Van Dyck, and Rembrandt. In addition, it has a featured collection of Russian Lacquer Paintings and photographs taken by J.S Wooley, the famous Adirondack photographer. The Covid-19 safety precautions taken at the museum make it even more worth the visit, as all the staff are serious about protecting the health of the visitors and in making sure that the museum stays open.

My favorite painting was the Boy Holding a Blue Vase by Picasso. The boy himself has a happy, yet questioning expression on his face which adds to the mood of the painting. Furthermore, the colors of the room where the painting rests are similar to those of the painting’s — toned down, creating a mellow feel. I found this to be interesting about the museum — the dynamic of each room, which is designed like any room of a house, matches the dynamic of the paintings in it. When you step into each room at the Hyde Museum, it feels like stepping into another world. 

Additionally, the Russian Lacquer Paintings were a favorite for my family and me because of the clear element of Russian culture incorporated into the paintings. Though I don’t ethnically identify as Russian, my family lived in Russia and other countries near it for many generations. When I was younger, I used to read Russian folk tales which my parents and grandparents read in their childhood as well. When I saw the Lacquer Paintings exhibition, I immediately connected to the artwork because of the Russian folk tales which were painted onto the wood. This is a great way for non-Russians to learn more about the culture and to see the folktales passed down from generation to generation in Russia. When looking at the paintings through an artistic perspective, the bright colors look unique on the wood or metal on which they are painted — they become metallic and start to reflect light.

While the Hyde Museum is definitely worth the visit to see the incredible art, you have to consider the fact that we are in the middle of a pandemic. Yet, we found it safe when visiting — the museum manages the number of visitors that enter the museum at once very closely (only four people are allowed at a time, and before the next group can come in, they have to wait 15 minutes). In addition, they have a sanitizing station at the entrance. Masks are required, and security personnel are present all around the building to remind you to keep your mask up. During our visit, we were truly able to focus on the art itself and did not have to worry about overcrowding.

Overall, visiting the Hyde Museum was an amazing (and safe) experience. I have been to many world-renowned museums, but this was probably one of my favorites! Not only did I get to see some amazing pieces, but I felt safe being at the museum the whole time. Through each piece of artwork, you could see the influence of the artist’s culture, whether in the landscape, the style, and even the colors used in some of the pieces, which actually gives you a sense of the time period. 

Going to the Hyde is a fun experience for the whole family. Even my little sister (who normally isn’t a fan of museums), said, “This was the best museum that I’ve ever gone to.” I would definitely recommend Hyde museum to anyone who is staying in or passing by Glen Falls, NY.