Thanks to everyone for participating in Art Madness, our version of March Madness for art lovers. American artists dominated the 2013 Art Madness. The Final Four matches saw Portrait of a Young Woman by Mary Cassatt vs. Sunflowers in the Windstorm by Emile Nolde, and Morning Sun by Edward Hopper vs Aucassin and Nicolette by Charles Demuth. Ultimately Hopper and Nolde prevailed to face off in the Art Madness Championship.

And the 2013 Art Madness Champion is Edward Hopper’s Morning Sun. Unlike the closely fought Louisville – Michigan NCAA match, Hopper led all the way in the Art Madness championship game. We’re glad the Hooper is back home in Columbus, and clearly so are you. Find the Hopper in our newly reinstalled American Experience Gallery.

We’re down to the Final Four of Art Madness, our version of March Madness for Art Lovers. It’s been a strong run for the Americans in Art Madness 2013. Three of the Final Four teams are works by American artists, including Edward Hopper’s Morning Sun, which in the first round took out The Breakfast by Edgar Degas, last year’s Art Madness champion; American Impressionist Mary Cassatt’s Portrait of a Young Woman, which won handily over work by fellow Impressionist Pierre-Auguste Renoir and then art giant Peter Paul Rubens; and Charles Demuth’s Aucassin and Nicolette, which first beat work by German Expressionist Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, then work by Dutch Still Life artist Carstian Luyckx. German Expressionist Emile Nolde’s Sunflowers in Windstorm is the sole nonAmerican in the Final Four.

Who will be crowned the Art Madness Champion? It’s all up to you! Vote on our Facebook page by liking your favorite from the Art Madness Match of the Day, or in person in our lobby (in person votes are worth double!). The artwork with the most votes/likes by the next day will advance to the Championship Match, which will take place starting Saturday April 6, 2013 -Monday April 9, 2013. We’ll announce the winner on Tuesday April 10, 2013.

Art Madness Final Schedule
April 4, 2013
Final Four Match 1: Portrait of a Young Woman by Mary Cassatt vs. Sunflowers in the Windstorm by Emile Nolde.

April 5, 2013
Final Four Match 2: Morning Sun by Edward Hopper vs Aucassin and Nicolette by Charles Demuth

April 6, 2013-April 9, 2013
Art Madness Championship Match: tbd

Art Madness is back. For the second year we’re pleased to present Art Madness, our version of March Madness for Art Lovers.

To put together our bracket, we selected some of the most beloved works of art from our collection, as well as a few lesser known gems.

It’s Old Masters versus Contemporary; Europeans versus Americans. Who will be a bracket buster? Who will come from behind and be the Cinderella of Art Madness? Who will be crowned the Art Madness Champion? It’s all up to you!

Here’s how to play along. During the run of Art Madness, we will post a new Match of the Day on our Facebook page. Vote on Facebook by liking your favorite from the Art Madness Match of the Day, or in person in our lobby (in person votes are worth double!). The artwork with the most votes/likes by the next day will advance on to the next round.

Want to predict the winners and keep track of the matches? Download the Art Madness Bracket.

SCOUTING REPORT ON THE 2013 ART MADNESS TEAMS

Morning Sun by Edward Hopper This standout from our American collection is back from the Grand Palais in Paris and the blockbuster Edward Hopper retrospective, which beat even Picasso in attendance figures. Our highly requested Hopper is back home in our newly reinstalled American galleries, and is considered the number one seed in this year’s competition.	The Breakfast by Edgar Degas This work by master draftsman and Impressionist Degas was the 2012 Art Madness Champion. Here Degas explores with intensity and pleasure the potential of pastel for spontaneous, sensuous expression. Will this Degas masterpiece from our renowned Sirak Collection take home the championship again?
Christian Bruce, Countess of Devon by Anthony van Dyck This work by premier British painter Anthony van Dyck remains true to the roots of portrait painting during the time of Charles I of England. Will van Dyck’s aristocratic painting rise above the competition?	Ancestral by Theodoros Stamos Stamos was part of the Abstact Expressionist group known as the Irascibles, which included such heavy hitters as Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko, and other hard-driving artists who really made their mark on the art world. This mutable piece by Stamos is included in our big Mark Rothko exhibition, now on view.
Aucassin and Nicolette by Charles Demuth This modernized idea of love by Demuth is based on a French love story and fable.  Here Demuth uses the clean lines of the smokestacks in his anthropomorphic telling of the tale. Will Demuth’s clever, modern take on love prevail?	Landscape at Fehmarn with Nudes by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner In this sensuous painting by German Expressionist Kirchner, you get the sense that the people and nature are one. Kirchner’s work at first may seem primitive and loose, but there is a definite game plan going on here.
Still Life with Lobster by Carstian Luyckx Dutch still life painter Luyckx depicts a neverending feast for the eyes here. Just like a clever team that can adjust its game, every time you look at this still life, you seem something you didn’t see before.	Woman at Window by William Baziotes Baziotes was also part of the Abstract Expressionist group known as the Irascibles, and this piece from our permanent collection is included in the coda to our currently on view Mark Rothko exhibition. Will Baziotes’ power riff on Picasso rule the day?
Portrait of a Young Woman by Mary Cassatt American Impressionist Cassatt was the only American ever invited to participate in the groundbreaking French Impressionist exhibitions in Paris. She represented her conference well with pieces such as this striking pastel, a nod to the techniques of her mentor Degas.	Christine Lerolle Embroidering by Pierre-Auguste Renoir Impressionist giant Renoir fuses Impressionist techniques with that of the Old Masters in this work from our renowned Sirak collection. Analysis: knows how to mix-it up in the paint.
Christ Triumphant Over Sin and Death by Peter Paul Rubens and Studio Rubens is one of the most important painters of all-time and with this powerful, positive painting of a heroic Christ figure he proves why he’s one of the top seeds.	Adam and Eve by Edgar Tolson. Modern-day folk artist Tolson remains true to the craft with this depiction of Adam and Eve in his “Fall of Man” series.  The Appalachian folk artist gained much acclaim for his work, including a “tournament invite” to the Whitney Biennial.
Sylvan Lake, SD3 from the series Lakes and Reservoirs * by Matthew Brandt Los Angeles-based photographer Brandt (whose work will be part of a solo exhibition at CMA later this year) is known for experimenting with unusual materials such as Cheez Whiz and Kool-Aid. In this new CMA acquisition, Brandt uses lake water to soak the Chromogenic print.	Venus Wounded by Diomedes, is Saved by Iris by Joseph-Marie Vien French painter Vien coined the French neoclassical style. This dramatic work by Vien is likely to deliver in the clutch. Will this piece by Vien be the Cinderella story of Art Madness?
Cornfield and Harvest by George Bellows Columbus’ Bellows, an OSU athlete and one of the preeminent artists of the Ashcan School, was known for depicting action scenes, but here he shows his softer side and Midwest roots. Like his Ohio State alma mater he’s likely to go far in the tournament. Homecourt advantage: Bellows.	Sunflowers in Windstorm by Emile Nolde One of the most recognizable and loved pieces from our Sirak Collection holds one of the top seeds. Something about Nazi oppression brought out the best in Nolde. His passion and tenacity, as symbolized here, make his work hard to beat.

(*Matthew Brandt image from the series Lakes and Reservoirs Sylvan Lake, SD 3, 2012, Chromogenic print soaked in Sylvan Lake water, Unique. © Matthew Brandt, Courtesy Yossi Milo Gallery, New York)

Art Speaks. Join the Conversation.

Thanks to everyone who participated in Art Madness, our version of March Madness for Art Lovers. To put together our bracket we selected some of our most beloved pieces from our permanent collection. Each day we posted a new match on Facebook. Just like the March Madness tournament, there were a few Cinderella stories along the way. Photo Leaguer Ida Wyman and her Sidewalk Clock, NYC beat two titans of the art world, first Henry Moore, then Georgia O’Keeffe. Magic Realist George Tooker had his own Cinderella run, easily beating both Russian Expressionist Alexaj Jawlensy, then Abstract Expressionist Jackson Pollock.

The final came down to two of our most loved pieces: contemporary sculptor Alison Saar’s Nocturne Navigator, the sculpture we commissioned in honor of the Underground Railroad vs. master Impressionist Edgar Degas’ The Breakfast, one of the the highlights of our Sirak Collection.

And the winner and still champion: Degas.

Introducing Art Madness, our version of March Madness for Art Lovers. To put together our bracket we selected some of our most beloved pieces from four of our strongest collections, as well as a few sleepers. It’s Photography versus Contemporary. Europeans versus the Americans. The Renaissance Region versus the Impressionism Region. Ashcan School Region versus Abstract Expressionism Region. Who will be a bracket buster? Who will come from behind and be the Cinderella of Art Madness? Who will be crowned the Art Madness champion? That’s all up to you. Each day we’ll have a new pairing on Facebook. The artwork with the most likes by the next day at noon will advance on to the next round.

Want to keep track of the winners? Download the Art Madness Bracket.

Please note: just like the NCAA Tournament, the Region a team competes in may be different. i.e. O’Keeffe is not a Renaissance painter. That’s just the region she’s competing in.

SCOUTING REPORT ON THE ART MADNESS TEAMS

A Lady with a Parrot and a Gentleman with a Monkey by Caspar NetscherDutch portrait artist Netscher’s work is often cited as a perennial fan favorite among the Columbus Museum of Art permanent collection. Here he uses the penchant for symbolism to great effect: oysters as aphrodisiacs, a feather to indicate pleasure, a monkey to indicate lust.	Autumn Leaves – Lake George, N.Y. by Georgia O’KeeffePerhaps the most famous female artist of all time, O’Keeffe is a strong contender to win the Big Dance. She changed the art world with her emphasis on color, shape, clean lines, and close-ups that fell somewhere between representation and abstraction like this painting of leaves from her summer home with her husband, photographer Alfred Stieglitz.
Sidewalk Clock, NYC by Ida Wyman Wyman was one of the nearly 100 female photographers of the Photo League, the pioneering documentary photo movement of the 1930s and 1940s. Here Wyman captures the movement and rhythm of the city. Analysis: really knows how to pace her game.	Three Piece Reclining Figure: Draped by Henry Moore England’s most famous sculptor is known for his sometimes surreal and sensuous sculptures like this iconic piece on the front lawn of the Columbus Museum of Art. Talk about tough: this art can withstand snow, sleet, and heavy winds, and may be hard to beat down the stretch.
Playing Cards and Glass of Beer by Juan GrisSpanish painter, sculptor, compatriot of Picasso, Gris, was one of one of the founding members of the Cubism movement. Here Gris really pulls his team together with a collage-style painting constructed of real objects combined with painted ones.	Polo at Lakewood by George BellowsColumbus homeboy Bellows, an OSU athlete and one of the preeminent artists of the Ashcan School, was known for depicting scenes of action like this one, where his slashing brushstrokes contrast with the genteel nature of the crowd. Like his Ohio State alma mater he’s likely to go far in the tournament.
Nocturne Navigator by Alison SaarThe “Blue Lady” as this artwork is nicknamed, was commissioned by the Columbus Museum of Art as a commemoration to the Underground Railroad. It’s a powerhouse piece beloved by the Columbus community.	Coney Island by Sid GrossmanGrossman advanced his passion for photography through the Photo League, the pioneering documentary photography movement he founded. He was often cited for his belief that photography could change the world. Grossman’s work (as well as Wyman’s) will be on display as part of our upcoming Radical Camera exhibition, which the New York Times calls “stirring.”
The Swimmer by Yasuo KuniyoshiJapanese American Kuniyoshi takes his cue from the strong lines and low key colors of 18th- and 19th- century Japanese art. The swimmer is an allusion to bas reliefs of ancient Egypt and Assyria in which sea nymphs often swim among water plants. Will this piece swim its way to victory?	The Breakfast by Edgar DegasMaster draftsman and Impressionist Degas explored with intensity and pleasure the potential of pastel for spontaneous, sensuous expression. This piece from our renowned Sirak Collection may be quiet and peaceful, however in the art world it remains a beloved, tough contender.
Andalusia by Henri Cartier-BressonFrench photographer Bresson began as a Cubist painter, and was drawn into the circle of the French surrealists. He’s definitely a clutch player, able to capture what he calls “the decisive moment,” as in this photograph where the boys appear to be enveloped in graffiti.	A Street Called Home by Aminah RobinsonHometown hero and MacArthur Genius Grant recipient Aminah Robinson combines traditional art materials with found objects and everyday materials such as buttons, cloth, leather, twigs, shells, and music box workings. She often works on pieces she calls RagGonNons, art that often takes years to research and continues to evolve as others respond to the works. Home court advantage: Robinson.
Composition with Flames by Jackson PollockPassionate Pollock revolutionized the art world with his Abstract Expressionist style. The man put his whole body into his painting, which eventually became known as Action Painting. Enough said.	Jill and I by Tina BarneyConsider Barney the Harvard of the art world. Barney portrays intimate portraits of upper class family and friends like in this haunting photograph. Will Barney and her work be the Cinderella story of Art Madness?
Cornice by George TookerTooker’s paintings were often psychologically charged, haunting, and mysterious. He was known as a magic realist combining real life with fantasy. Does Tooker’s work have what it takes to go all the way?	Schokko with a Red Hat by Alexaj JawlenskyJawlensky was a former Russian army officer turned Expressionist painter, and key member of the Blue Rider, an influential group of Russian emigrants and German artists in the early 1900s that also included Jawlensky’s compatriot Kandinsky. Schokko may just ride all the way to victory.

Art Speaks. Join the Conversation.