The Art of Christmas

Date: December 25, 2014

Destination: Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center

Cost: $7.75 plus gas

(I ventured to NorCal for the Christmas holidays and did some exploring a little further afield.)

The crumpled holiday wrappings were in the corner, the Christmas Eve turkey had been made into tetrazzini, the socializing with friends and family was winding down. After two days as a houseguest, I was ready for a respite. I noticed the Rafael Film Center earlier in the day while visiting the nearby San Rafael Arcangel mission in downtown San Rafael. A documentary about the National Gallery art museum in London was scheduled for that evening and I couldn’t resist leaving the holiday gathering for a few hours of mental stimulation to help banish the turkey-induced L-tryptophan coma. I’d visited the National a few times in my twenties, and remembered that it showcased major works of baroque art (Rubens, Rembrandt, Vermeer), a subject I had studied briefly in college.

I was offered a senior rate without asking (a mixed blessing) and entered the beautiful facility. I was caught off guard by the luxury of the theater; spotlessly clean with a meticulously restored art deco interior. During the pre-show, I could tell the projection and sound quality was top-notch. The Smith Rafael is the home of the California Film Institute – the group that puts on the Mill Valley Film Festival.

National Gallery was made by acclaimed documentarian Frederick Wiseman, who at 85 has not lost his clarity or insight. It explored every aspect of this whale of an institution, from board meetings to applying the gold leaf on restored frames. The film also examined a major exhibit on the works of Leonardo DaVinci. The camera leisurely settled on shots of paintings by great masters, along with narrative from docents and scholars. Some of the faces of the ordinary folks absorbing the art reflected their awe and appreciation, while others were clearly distracted. Being afforded the opportunity to see so many extraordinary paintings blown up to movie-screen size made watching this film three-hour film worthwhile. It was fascinating to learn the workings of this iconic museum.

I walked out into the cold Christmas night inspired and grateful. How lucky we are to have beautiful art museums in this world – and great documentary filmmakers to explore non-commercial themes. Seeing this film was a lovely Christmas gift to myself.