Time of the Season

Humans everywhere share joy and find beauty in similar things -- the sound of children's laughter is uplifting no matter your time zone, a day with gorgeous weather (if you're able to remember such a thing) evokes good feelings in every culture and nature's inherent loveliness sparks inspiration the world over. Flowers of the Four Seasons in Chinese and Japanese Art puts a fine, and beautiful, point on that last source of enjoyment. This exhibition, on display in Gallery 225 at the Saint Louis Art Museum in Forest Park (314-721-0072 or www.slam.org), features pieces that share the exquisite flora of China and Japan in the eighteenth century and earlier, beauty that spans not only the seasons and the vastly varied climates of each country, but also the ages. Curated by Philip Hu, associate curator of Asian art, Flowers of the Four Seasons is on view for free from Saturday, February 8, through Sunday, August 31. The museum is open every day except Monday.
Tuesdays-Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Fridays, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Starts: Feb. 8. Continues through Aug. 31, 2014