We spent a peaceful late morning at SMU’s Meadows Museum exploring The Sense of Beauty: Six Centuries of Painting from Museo de Arte de Ponce. The exhibition was a rich and moving collection that highlights the many ways artists across centuries have portrayed beauty — in form, color, emotion, and story.

One of the true highlights was Flaming June by Frederic Leighton, a radiant vision in orange and gold. This iconic painting of a woman sleeping peacefully against a Mediterranean backdrop draws you in with its serenity and warmth. I couldn’t resist pointing her out with a smile — her pose and expression perfectly captured the mood of the morning.

Just stepping into the exhibit felt like entering a quiet sanctuary, with soft lighting and deep colors setting the tone. The entrance display — framed by a massive reproduction of Flaming June — set the stage for the contemplative beauty that followed.

Beyond the featured exhibit, I took time to explore the rest of the museum’s permanent collection. I’m always drawn to environmental portraits and landscapes that include people — the kind of paintings that hint at stories unfolding in the background. Scenes with nautical elements, celebrations of feminine beauty, and depictions of powerful women resonate most deeply with me.

One such piece was Claudio Coello’s Saint Catherine of Alexandria Dominating the Emperor Maxentius, a bold, dramatic portrayal of spiritual and symbolic triumph. Saint Catherine stands tall in vibrant robes, sword in hand, her foot on the emperor’s chest — a 17th-century celebration of strength, intellect, and faith. The composition was both theatrical and commanding, and it lingered with me long after.

Elsewhere, I was captivated by a delicate 18th-century portrait of a woman glancing over her shoulder, full of charm and quiet confidence. This portrait’s charm is in the subject’s gaze—direct, playful, and confidently composed.

In contrast, a grand pastoral scene brought together flocks of sheep, rugged terrain, and shepherds at work — a peaceful narrative frozen in time. An idyllic rural landscape, filled with movement and quiet activity—environmental storytelling at its best.

Two other pieces stood out for their quiet, intimate power. One, a soft and contemplative watercolor of a woman gazing into a mirror, captured a deeply private moment — almost as if we were witnessing beauty from within rather than simply observing it.

The other was a more expressive oil painting of a reclining nude. With its impressionistic brushstrokes and sensual ease, it communicated more through form and energy than detail. Both works reminded me how the human figure, when portrayed with tenderness or abandon, can evoke a quiet awe that speaks louder than grander scenes.

And of course, I lingered in front of the harbor paintings — boats docked, sailors working, coastlines bustling with everyday life. I never tire of maritime themes and how they anchor stories of movement, exploration, and the human connection to the sea.

This luminous view of water, sun, and solitude reminded me why I always gravitate to scenes with nature and people in harmony.

Grace, myth, and beauty—this classical tableau hits several of my favorite themes in one frame.

The Meadows Museum left me inspired not only by the beauty of the art, but also by the subtle emotional undercurrents running through the galleries. Whether it was the curve of a sleeping figure, the shimmer of sunset on water, or the strength of a saint in battle — beauty was found not just in what was painted, but in how it made me feel.

If you’re in the Dallas area before June 22, 2025, make a point to visit. The Sense of Beauty is more than an exhibit — it’s an invitation to slow down and see the world through the eyes of artists who truly understood the power of a moment.

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