#projectblueboy

In an exciting “first” for The Huntington, visitors this fall will be able to watch and learn about the conservation treatment of Thomas Gainsborough’s iconic masterpiece The Blue Boy through a special installation in the Huntington Art Gallery, on view now.

“Project Blue Boy,” exhibited in the Thornton Portrait Gallery, will give visitors a fascinating glimpse into the technical processes carried out by senior paintings conservator Christina O’Connell as she works on the painting in public view in the gallery. A special satellite conservation lab will be set up adjacent to the wall where the painting normally hangs. Surrounding displays, some interactive, will shed light on the famed painting’s history, mysteries, and artistic virtues as well as offer details about the conservation process. Tools of the conservator’s trade will be showcased, and specially trained docents will provide additional information.

Read more about “Project Blue Boy” over on Verso 

ps. AND check out this sweet commemorative pin of Blue Boy, now available over at thehuntingtonstore.org. 

images:

[1-5] Installation views of “Project Blue Boy,” with conservator Christina O’Connell at work on Gainsborough’s The Blue Boy. The exhibit is on view in the Thornton Portrait Gallery of the Huntington Art Gallery through September 30th, 2019.

#SoManyBlueBoys

The Blue Boy is currently undergoing a three-month preliminary analysis in preparation for an extensive conservation treatment that will commence in the fall of 2018. While the iconic Gainsborough portrait is off view through Oct. 31, 2017, we’re filling our Tumblr with pop culture Blue Boys, Blue Boy knock-offs, and Blue Boy–inspired art because, well, just because.

Here is Kermit the Frog as “Green Boy,” from Miss Piggy’s Art Masterpiece Calendar 1984: Treasures from the Kermitage Collection, published in 1983 by Alfred A. Knopf.

Spot any Blue Boys around town, in your own collection, or online? Share them with us here, on Instagram, and Twitter: #SoManyBlueBoys (maybe we’ll repost!)  Don’t forget to tag us!

#SoManyBlueBoys

The Blue Boy is currently undergoing a three-month preliminary analysis in preparation for an extensive conservation treatment that will commence in the fall of 2018. While the iconic Gainsborough portrait is off view through Oct. 31, 2017, we’re filling our Tumblr with pop culture Blue Boys, Blue Boy knock-offs, and Blue Boy–inspired art because, well, just because.

Here’s a Blue Boy–inspired oil-on-masonite work by artist Brian Smith.

Spot any Blue Boys around town, in your own collection, or online? Share them with us here, on Instagram, and Twitter: #SoManyBlueBoys (maybe we’ll repost!)  Don’t forget to tag us!

#SoManyBlueBoys

The Blue Boy is currently undergoing a three-month preliminary analysis in preparation for an extensive conservation treatment that will commence in the fall of 2018. While the iconic Gainsborough portrait is off view through Oct. 31, 2017, we’re filling our Tumblr with pop culture Blue Boys, Blue Boy knock-offs, and Blue Boy–inspired art because, well, just because.

Check out this fabulous vintage polyester disco shirt featuring Mickey Mouse as Blue Boy—and, as a delightful bonus, Minnie as Pinkie!

Spot any Blue Boys around town, in your own collection, or online? Share them with us here, on Instagram, and Twitter: #SoManyBlueBoys (maybe we’ll repost!)  Don’t forget to tag us!

#SoManyBlueBoys

The Blue Boy is currently undergoing a three-month preliminary analysis in preparation for an extensive conservation treatment that will commence in the fall of 2018. While the iconic Gainsborough portrait is off view through Oct. 31, 2017, we’re filling our Tumblr with pop culture Blue Boys, Blue Boy knock-offs, and Blue Boy–inspired art because, well, just because.

We featured this fabulous folding screen by artist Clare Graham a few years back when it was on view across town at the Craft & Folk Art Museum in Los Angeles. It obviously needed to make a reappearance in this series. The screen is made of a bajilion small squares cut from various paint-by-numbers renditions of Blue Boy (and Pinkie) and flipping fantastic.

Spot any Blue Boys around town, in your own collection, or online? Share them with us here, on Instagram, and Twitter: #SoManyBlueBoys (maybe we’ll repost!)  Don’t forget to tag us!

#SoManyBlueBoys

The Blue Boy is currently undergoing a three-month preliminary analysis in preparation for an extensive conservation treatment that will commence in the fall of 2018. While the iconic Gainsborough portrait is off view through Oct. 31, 2017, we’re filling our Tumblr with pop culture Blue Boys, Blue Boy knock-offs, and Blue Boy–inspired art because, well, just because.

We end the series with a couple of low-res photos we found on the magical interwebs featuring actor Jim Carrey in a Blue Boy costume (George Lange is the photographer). Happy Halloween.

#SoManyBlueBoys

The Blue Boy is currently undergoing a three-month preliminary analysis in preparation for an extensive conservation treatment that will commence in the fall of 2018. While the iconic Gainsborough portrait is off view through Oct. 31, 2017, we’re filling our Tumblr with pop culture Blue Boys, Blue Boy knock-offs, and Blue Boy–inspired art because, well, just because.

Today we’re featuring one of our all-time boys in blue, Vin Scully. In a blue suit, of course.

Spot any Blue Boys around town, in your own collection, or online? Share them with us here, on Instagram, and Twitter: #SoManyBlueBoys (maybe we’ll repost!)  Don’t forget to tag us!

#SoManyBlueBoys

The Blue Boy is currently undergoing a three-month preliminary analysis in preparation for an extensive conservation treatment that will commence in the fall of 2018. While the iconic Gainsborough portrait is off view through Oct. 31, 2017, we’re filling our Tumblr with pop culture Blue Boys, Blue Boy knock-offs, and Blue Boy–inspired art because, well, just because.

Today we’re featuring Blue Boy (2014) by New York–based artist Deborah Brown.

Spot any Blue Boys around town, in your own collection, or online? Share them with us here, on Instagram, and Twitter: #SoManyBlueBoys (maybe we’ll repost!)  Don’t forget to tag us!