Trip to Philbrook

“To find beauty at the fingertips of man is indeed marvelous.”

The grounds and gardens at Philbrook Museum in Tulsa are manicured and terraced with shrubs and flowerbeds. A fountain runs from the back of the mansion down over stone and through fountains to the rose beds below. It is a beautiful walk. You can stand on the balcony at the house and peruse the whole garden. Wander on down the steps to see all the flower beds and the gazebo. Don’t forget to see the kitchen garden filled with herbs and vegetables.

Inside you’ll find graceful staircases, lovely chandliers, and stained glass windows. The handrails on the staircases are made of cast iron. The hallways and rooms are filled with wonderful artwork on both stories. You’ll find fountains and a pipe organ and beautiful pieces of furniture and glassware and statuary. One room has modern art which is not my preferred art form.

One of my favorite art peices is this oil of a mother and her daughters. She has laid her sewing aside to hug the girls and the picture shows a lot of emotion. Notice the girl’s hands folded as if in prayer and note the birds on the windowsill and the ball of yarn on the floor. We had a bird in our house just this morning and I know the feeling of fear that it might injure itself before we caught it and let it go outside.

This piece of art was on a white wall with lights aimed at it. The lights made shadows behind it and those changed as you passed the metal circle. I thought it made a lovely design and it was in the modern art room.

The Shepherdess is my overall and all time favorite painting at Philbrook. Is she enjoying the weather? What is she dreaming of? Her brown eyes are full and she looks healthy and happy with life. Her clothes are interesting. I wonder if she feels pretty in them or if she feels rumpled. Her curly brown hair and olive skin make her look Jewish to me. Her smile is simple. What are you thinking of young lady carrying your crook?

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“He makes the barren woman abide in a house as a joyful mother of children. Praise the lord!”

Psam 113 : 9

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