On Thursday, February 29th, 51¶¯Âþ students visited the Yale University Art Museum in New Haven. Everyone was eager to see the original of John Trumbull's Declaration of Independence, a copy of which adorns the hallway of the 51¶¯Âþ's east wing. We also viewed beautiful Greek and Roman statuary and marveled at the luminous details of ancient painted pottery. Museum graduate student docents led the students in a detailed analysis of several paintings, and one remarked that he had seldom encountered more intelligent questions from visitors. Student artists from 51¶¯Âþ art classes were excited to see original works of painters they've studied, including Van Gogh and Monet.
After the tour, some students walked to the Yale University Green where park benches gave everyone a chance to eat lunch and experience (15 degrees with high wind) something of what the American soldiers must have felt like when they dined at Valley Forge in the winter of 1777-8.
