On April 1, 1891, Gauguin left France to "seek exile and renewal" in Tahiti. He soon discovered that the island had become very French and was not the unspoiled paradise that he had expected. He blamed Christian missionaries and the colonial administration for destroying native culture, but stayed for two years.

Intimate Encounters exhibits some woodcuts, monotypes, drawings, watercolors, lithographs, and sketches from this time. Gauguin's monotype technique involved "offsetting watercolor or gouache designs on paper. Placing a piece of dampened paper over the original design, the artist exerted pressure with an implement such as the back of a spoon. Since the moisture in the paper partially dissolved the water-based medium, the original design would thus be transferred in reverse onto the paper."

Gauguin returned to France with many paintings and an idea for a book (eventually published as Noa-Noa) that would describe his artistic enlightenment after being put in contact with the "primitives" who lived in Tahiti. Gauguin exhibited his Tahitian paintings in fall of 1893, but the show failed.

Gauguin returned to Tahiti in July of 1895. Three years later, he began to make woodcuts. There are six of these woodcuts in Intimate Encounters. At this time, he also work with new methods based on the carbon-paper principle which yield interesting prints. As explained on the signs next to the artworks, he applied a coat of ink to one sheet of paper, placed a second over it, and drew on the top sheet with pencil or crayon.

No photographs of this special exhibit are permitted. Unfortunately, there are not postcards or items from this exhibit for sale in the gift shop either.

After greeting the two lions standing guard at its main Michigan Avenue entrance, you can see quite a variety of art, including its impressive Impressionist collection. There is usually a special exhibit going on, with some that will require a special entry ticket. Tuesday is still the day for free admissions, but the late day is now on Thursdays when the museum closes at 8pm. The weekend crowds can be stifling, hindering your enjoyment of the Picassos, Renoirs, and Rembrandts. You will need to check in any bags much larger than a camera tote for a dollar fee, or you can use one of the small coin-operated lockers (there is also a second coat check at the Columbus entrance in back).

Everyone may have their favorite artworks or artists, as there is a lot of variety at this large museum. I like to visit and re-visit the recreated Louis Sullivan-designed Chicago Stock Exchange room, the serene Asian Art room designed by architect Tadao Ando, the moody stained glass windows by Chagall, and, of course, Seurat's pointillism masterpiece "A Sunday on La Grande Jatte". Architectural exhibits are tucked away in the peculiar u-shaped gallery on the second floor next to pieces salvaged from notable buildings in Chicago. Check out the miniature Thorne rooms on the lower level for a change of pace.

A new entrance designed by renowned architect Renzo Piano is planned for the near future along Monroe Street. There is a restaurant and a cafeteria for a light bite. The busy gift shop has a fun selection of gifts. Have a seat on the steps in front of the Art Institute and enjoy one of the great people-watching spots in the city.

The miniatures are complete and fully detailed European and American rooms from various periods in history - after the 1700s I think. There are over fifty individual rooms and each is a little bit of perfection. They were all given to the museum by one donor - though I don't know if she had them made for herself or specifically for the museum.

If you've ever had a lust for dollhouses (my particular childhood obsession), furniture or interiors, you should enjoy this exhibit and fortunately yes, it went over quite well with the girls.

There are many exhibits designed specifically for children in the museum, on the bottom level is a special touching exhibit for kids, originally it was designed for the blind I think. Anyway, there are several pieces from the museum's collection that you can touch and feel - as opposed to viewing from across the room. Another huge hit with the kids.