Quintessentially English Gainsborough’s Paintings Depict Aristocracy, Rural Countryside by Gary Tischler In the exhibition “Thomas Gainsborough, 1727-1788,” now at the National Gallery of Art, you can see a journey from the traditional to the original, where a renowned portrait painter fused his passions and interests with a commercial gift. In this exhibition of 63 paintings and 31 drawings, both Gainsborough's love of landscapes and his prowess for portraiture are given generous representation. Gainsborough, after all, loved his landscapes but knew enough to realize that he could not make a living from them. Rather, he made a living, a good one to say the least, from his portraits. Most of these works were portraits of bluebloods, marquis, lords, ladies, officers, masters of the house and other esteemed members of the ruling class—on parade and in their finest... Audacious Whistler Double Exhibit of American Artist Celebrates Cutting-Edge Work by Heather Nalbone James McNeill Whistler wasn’t always praised for his work. The Massachusetts-born 19th-century artist had numerous critics in his day, one of whom was so harsh that Whistler was able to collect damages in a libel lawsuit. A century after his death, Whistler is making up for any disadvantages he experienced during his career. His works, and his name, are receiving double recognition in separate celebratory exhibits at the Corcoran Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian’s Freer Gallery of Art... Autobiographical Tour Intimate Vuillard Retrospective Includes Paintings, Interiors, Photos by Serena Lei The Édouard Vuillard retrospective at the National Gallery of Art begins with an arresting black-and-white self-portrait of the artist. It is an appropriate beginning for an autobiographical exhibit that takes us into the lives of Vuillard and his friends and family... Big Bad ‘Woolf’ Classika Production of Albee Play Exhibits Ingenuity but Drags as a Whole by Lisa Troshinsky What is the old adage? If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it? This logic should have been applied to Classika Theatre’s current production of Edward Albee’s timeless “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” This treatment of “Virginia Woolf” by visiting director Constantine Tariloff— which marks the Shirlington, Va., theater’s first stab at an American play—better resembles the Russian theater genre to which both Classika and Tariloff are more accustomed—an unfortunate choice in this particular instance. I left the theater thinking they would have fared better had they whet their chops on simpler American fare. Yet nothing is simple about “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”... Long Live the Queen Folger Shakespeare Library Hosting ‘Celebrating Elizabeth I’ Series by Gary Tischler Queen Elizabeth I died on March 24, 1603, having reigned for nearly 45 years as the last of the Tudors. She left behind an age: the Elizabethan age. So vivid was her memory, her originality, the drama of her life and times, that hardly a year passes without some book, essay or movie to remind us of her enduring legacy. So it’s no surprise that the Folger Shakespeare Library is hosting a series of events titled “Celebrating Elizabeth I.” This year after all marks the 400th anniversary of her death, reminding us once again of the fascination and hypnotic pull that Elizabeth Tudor still holds. She is a modern person in spirit, temperament and memory, much like her own beloved contemporary, William Shakespeare... Everyday People Two Exhibits at International Visions Accent Beauty of Ordinary Life by Natalie Koss The International Visions Gallery is a neighborhood staple known for showcasing the works of local artists. Currently, International Visions is offering two exhibits: a brilliant collection of paintings from Washington, D.C., native and long-time local artist Bill Dorsey titled “Sightings” and a group exhibition of internationally inspired photographs by the new Photographer’s Cooperative. Fanciful ‘Floating’ Two Exhibits Depict Indulgent, Luxurious of Life During Edo Period by Natalie Koss A world of singing songs, drinking wine, and diverting ourselves just in floating, floating … like a gourd along with the river current.” These sentiments, written by Japanese author Asai Ryoi during the 1600s, capture the indulgent and fanciful nature of two new exhibits at the Freer Gallery of Art titled “The Floating World Revealed” and “Tea in the Floating World.”

Life of British Ambassador’s Wife Shapes Mission to Prevent Child Abduction by Gail Scott For nearly five and a half years, lady Catherine Meyer and her husband, British Ambassador Sir Christopher Meyer, have been the diplomatic darlings of Washington, D.C. At black-tie events, Meyer wore short skirts while her husband donned bright red socks. Word spread fast that this diplomatic couple were clever, chic, witty, even glib, but never boring. But behind all this glamour and excitement, lady Meyer has been engaged in a desperate international custody battle for her sons, Alexander and Constantin, who were only 7 and 9 when they were abducted in 1994 by their German father, Meyer’s ex-husband... Information Resources For Missing Children Inane ‘Interludes’ Cervantes’s Comedic Sketches Not Meant to Be Theatrical Feature by Lisa Troshinsky Cervantes: The Interludes,” the latest project by Gala Hispanic Theatre, is a series of silly romps through the underworld of 17th-century Spanish society. Although good for a few laughs and an unusual glimpse into an otherwise undernoticed piece of works, “The Interludes”—written by Spanish playwright Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, famous for penning the legendary “Don Quixote”—probably would fare better if not treated as the evening’s main attraction. Close-Knit Swedish Themes Textile Artist Annette Fahlsten’s Work Reflects Traditions by Carolyn Chapman In its continuing series of exhibitions, the Embassy of Sweden is now presenting the work of Swedish textile artist Annette Fahlsten in her debut U.S. show. “She’s unusual because she’s not afraid of claiming space for herself,” said the Swedish Embassy’s cultural counselor, Nancy Westman. “She makes big things, which takes courage, both in terms of choosing colors and size. For those types of pieces, you really have to trust your audience and yourself."... Moroccan Ambassador Speaks on Nation’s Close Ties to Jews by Larry Luxner Arab-Jewish relations may be at their lowest point in years, but only warmth, friendship and traditional Arab hospitality were evident during a recent gathering of Jews at the home of Aziz Mekouar, Morocco’s ambassador to the United States... Dining: Wise Sage New Chef, New Menu Offer American Culinary Thrills by Rachel Hunt and Stephen Qualiana Events Film Reviews: Power of Music Documentary ‘Amandla!’ Resists Apartheid Through Song by Ky N. Nguyen Amandla! A Revolution in Four Part Harmony” provides unique insight into the motivational power of music, taken to an extreme in the long struggle against South Africa’s policy of apartheid from 1948 to 1993... • ‘Spider’: Web of Memories • Gilliam ‘Lost in La Mancha’ • Colombian Campaign • The Four Seasons Repertory Notes Mission to Make ‘Masseur’ Director ‘Identified’ With Protagonist in Naipaul Novel by Ky N. Nguyen Director Ismail Merchant was determined to obtain the film rights to “The Mystic Masseur,” the first novel written by Indian Nobel laureate V.S. Naipaul. The author had rejected past offers to translate his books into films, but in the end, Merchant’s tenacity prevailed... Film Directory/Cinema International Film Clips