An Elephant Never Forgets

17th-Century Elephant Automaton Clock  Loyola University Museum of Art (LUMA)

Sometimes when I'm the docent-on-duty at LUMA, in between tours, I sketch in the galleries. They're quick pencil sketches, almost doodles. I add the color when I get home. 

This is a sketch of a 17th-century automaton clock from the D'Arcy Collection at the museum. Jonathan Canning, LUMA's Senior Curator, was a driving force in reanimating the piece. The Turkish figures on the top move around in a circle, the elephant's handler's arm moves up and down and the entire piece parades in a circle. A remarkable achievement for when it was created as well as for today. That's the good news.

The sad news is that Jonathan is leaving LUMA and going the Glens Falls, New York, and the Hyde Collection.  He will be greatly missed. 

Thank you, Jonathan, for all you've done for LUMA and for all you taught me over the last five years. Godspeed.