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OFFICIAL Ongo Gablogian Museum of Fine Arts @ongomuseum.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

This Wednesday, May 14th, join us at the ONGO for a special 40th anniversary screening of one of the 1980s’ most influential action films: MAD MAC BEYOND THUNDERDOME! Tap photos for details. @alwaysunnyontv.bsky.social @robmcelhenny.bsky.social @kailinolson.bsky.social @thebetterbrown.bsky.social

While the ONGO sadly remains closed for the foreseeable future as our search continues for a new corporate partner, we’re nonetheless excited to announce the first of several special events scheduled over the coming weeks.

First up? The latest edition of our CINEMA SNOBS series featuring a 40th anniversary screening of one of the most influential action films of the 1980s: visionary director George Miller’s MAD MAC BEYOND THUNDERDOME!

Set in a post-apocalyptic Philadelphia where bums are making a mess all over the city, self-taught martial arts expert(ish) Mac ‘Ronnie The Rat’ McDonald roams the barren wasteland that was once his hometown looking for his friends. Presently under the control of Auntie Dee, aka The Bird Lady of Thunderdome, South Philly is now a crime-ridden den of goons and gas sniffers where feuds are settled in the titular Thunderdome (which also doubles as the site of weekly open mic nights hosted by Auntie Dee herself). Can Mac survive this harsh new reality he finds himself in? Will he rise to the occasion and become the badass he’s always claimed to be?

Find out this Wednesday, May 14th @ 7pm at the Ongo Gablogian Museum of Fine Arts, and stick around for a rousing after party featuring delicious cocktails courtesy of Four Walls Irish American Whisky, aka The Better Brown. Plan your visit today!

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OFFICIAL Ongo Gablogian Museum of Fine Arts @ongomuseum.bsky.social · 16/03/2025

@michaelianblack.bsky.social Dear Michael Ian Black, It’s official: I fucking love you, man. ❤️ Warmest wishes, Marc from Nova Scotia

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OFFICIAL Ongo Gablogian Museum of Fine Arts @ongomuseum.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

British School, ‘Venetian Dairy Guild’ (late 18th century) Tap this photo to find out more about the unscrupulous heads of the 18th century Venetian Dairy Guild, then come see this masterpiece up close at the Ongo. Plan your visit today! @alwaysunnyontv.bsky.social @robmcelhenny.bsky.social

This handsome watercolour depicts the heads of Venice’s powerful Dairy Guild during the early 1700s: (from left) Carlos Canella, Ronaldo ‘Marzio’ Magliocca and Francesco Rizzi. Together, they controlled the sale and transport of all milk and cheese throughout Northern Italy, making them very wealthy men in the process. However, by 1722 government officials saw an opportunity to enrich themselves and started levying a sizeable annual due on the Guild’s profits. Angered by this, the trio concocted an elaborate scheme that involved their own production of milk which they quietly sold off the books to supplement the supply from local dairy farmers. Eventually, their machinations were revealed when it came to light that the source of their own supply was not cow milk at all, but rather crow milk!

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OFFICIAL Ongo Gablogian Museum of Fine Arts @ongomuseum.bsky.social · 04/03/2025

Gyula Benczúr, ‘Narcissus’ (1881) Tap this photo to find out more about this Hungarian artist and his painting’s infamous subject. Then, come see this alluring masterpiece and countless others up close at the ONGO. Plan your visit today! @alwaysunnyontv.bsky.social #glennhowerton #dennisreynolds

This Hungarian painter and art teacher was celebrated for his portraits, historical scenes and religious pieces. After studying across Europe throughout this 20s and 30s, he returned home to Hungary in 1883 and devoted himself to teaching while also producing portraits for various aristocrats and members of royalty. He remains a beloved figure in his home country, with numerous streets there named after him.

This dramatic piece is devoted to the infamous Narcissus of Greek mythology, a hunter and whiskey enthusiast whose great beauty was noticed by all who made his acquaintance. After being ravaged by Zeus’ chief archivist at the age of 14, he became excessively preoccupied with his own looks and regularly exploited them for his personal advantage. He left countless broken hearts in his wake, manipulating those whom he might find useful to him but then rejecting their romantic overtures. Known to kill crows with his bare hands without hesitation, he excelled as a hunter yet only seemed interested in his prey’s skins, which he sometimes fashioned into luggage.

In the end, the only person who could win Narcissus’ affections was…himself. One fateful day, he rested by a pool of water in which he caught his own reflection. Instantly taken by the face looking back at him without recognizing it as his own, he could not bring himself to part from it. Eventually realizing that his love would never be reciprocated, his blazing passion caused him to transform into the flower that still bears his name (also known as the daffodil); Benczúr thrillingly captures Narcissus at his very moment of transformation.

Come see this gorgeous masterpiece up close at the ONGO…just try not to fall in love with it. Plan your visit today! https://www.instagram.com/p/DGHU6UCMl18/

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OFFICIAL Ongo Gablogian Museum of Fine Arts @ongomuseum.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

Caravaggio, ‘The Young Sick Bacchus’ (1593-1594) Tap this photo to find out more about the iconic artist and this painting’s troubled subject. Then, come see this captivating work and countless other masterpieces up close at the ONGO. Plan your visit today! @alwaysunnyontv.bsky.social

A dominant influence on Baroque painting, this Italian artist moved around his native country throughout his life, developing a vibrant style that drew heavily on the dramatic use of light and shadow. He eschewed drawings when painting his models, preferring to capture them directly onto canvas. He was known as a temperamental, even violent figure who once killed another man during a brawl, escaping a death sentence by fleeing to Naples. Although his work had fallen out of favour by the time of his own death in 1610, his reputation as a major influence on the evolution of Western art was solidified upon reassessment during the 20th century.

This painting’s subject is Bacchus: the Greek god of wine, fertility, music, madness, magnets, cheese and ghouls. Countless myths surround this enigmatic deity; he brought frivolity and joy wherever he went, but he could also be a vengeful god who drove his foes to insanity. Although believed to have been sired by Zeus himself, rumour had it that his actual father was a lowly cheese monger who abandoned him at birth, likely influencing both his manic personality and his love of cheese. He once seduced a nameless nymph by replacing the water in the pool she drank from daily with wine. His love of theatre inspired him to compose numerous plays, the most famous of which was the tragicomedy ‘The Nightman Cometh’.

Here, Caravaggio presents us a jaundiced, sickly Bacchus whose penchant for excess is already taking its toll on his outward appearance; his impish smile belies his worsening health and fragile mental state. Towards the end of his life, he developed a crippling addiction to drinking paint that made his behaviour and overall mood increasingly erratic, leaving him a pathetic shadow of his former self.

Come see this illuminating masterpiece and countless others up close at the ONGO. Plan your visit today!

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OFFICIAL Ongo Gablogian Museum of Fine Arts @ongomuseum.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

English School, ‘Portrait of Actress Lalla Collins’ (1930) Tap on photo for info about this fledgling British stage actress. Come see this captivating portrait and countless other masterpieces at the ONGO. Plan your visit today! @alwaysunnyontv.bsky.social @kailinolson.bsky.social

This painting of Lalla “Sweet Lal” Collins captures the British stage actress during rehearsals for the 1929 West End production of the musical comedy ‘Covington’s House’, in which Collins played the gender-bending role of kindly English butler Mr. Covington. Fancying herself a naturally gifted comedienne, she convinced her wealthy stepfather to bankroll the play and installed herself in a lead role that proved far beyond her limited reach. Following an avalanche of negative reviews and anemic ticket sales, the production closed after just four performances.

After several more poorly-received roles in small theatres around London, Collins later emigrated to New York City where she opened her own theatre school. There, she developed a set of unconventional acting techniques that emphasized ignoring one’s fellow actors in favour of shamelessly dominating a scene and stealing focus at every opportunity. By 1935, she was rumoured to have had a short but torrid affair with the much older Russian stage director Konstantin Stanislavski during the final years of his life; it is believed that “Sweet Lal” partly influenced his own system that would later form the basis of Method acting, cementing her unlikely legacy in the annals of the performing arts.

Come see this captivating portrait and countless other masterpieces up close at the ONGO. Plan your visit today!

https://www.instagram.com/ongomuseum/

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OFFICIAL Ongo Gablogian Museum of Fine Arts @ongomuseum.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

Patricia Bellerose, ‘Whiskey Old Fashion, aka The Better Brown’ (2020s) Tap photo for details about this colourful tribute to your neighborhood bartender. Then, come see this thirst-quenching piece at the ONGO. Plan your visit today! @itsalwayssunnyd.bsky.social @thebetterbrown.bsky.social

Imagine walking into your favourite pub on a Friday night and sidling up to the bar, desperate for a drink that’ll help wash away the stench of another gruelling work week. Your bartender approaches, a hint of surliness across his face as he asks for your order. Sighing audibly, you confess your inability to decide on what to have. Recognizing your frazzled state of mind, the barkeep’s face softens as he peppers you with questions in hopes of landing on the perfect drink. Sure, some of his questions seem random and unrelated to the task at hand; for example, how can knowing how much you can benchpress prove helpful in this quest?

Then suddenly, he declares with authority that your answers (along with the results of something called an ‘ocular patdown’) have determined that an Old Fashioned is the way to go. Without skipping a beat, he reaches for a bottle of FOUR WALLS IRISH AMERICAN WHISKEY and quickly whips you up a frosty cocktail. Your first sip proves to be a revelation: the unique blend of triple-distilled whiskeys and rye translates into a smooth yet bold taste experience that makes your obnoxious boss back at the office a distant memory.

Several drinks later, you make your way home feeling blissful and thoroughly satiated. Once there, you reach into your pocket for your apartment key, only to discover a napkin with the bartender’s phone number scribbled on it. You chuckle deeply as you crumple the napkin and let it drop to the floor. Then, you open the door to your darkened apartment, wondering which local pizza place you feel like ordering from tonight.

On a related note…. FOUR WALLS IRISH AMERICAN WHISKEY is now the exclusive whiskey of the ONGO! Whether meeting friends at our monthly ‘Disco Night At The Museum’ events, attending an exclusive exhibition or enjoying a delicious Philly Milk Steak Sandwich at Café Artemis, make the experience complete with an invigorating drink featuring this versatile ‘better brown’. Plan your visit today!

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OFFICIAL Ongo Gablogian Museum of Fine Arts @ongomuseum.bsky.social · 29/01/2025

Patricia Bellerose, ‘Henrick’s Gin & Cucumber’ (2020s) Tap photo for details about this eye-popping tribute to your neighborhood bartenders and their delicious concoctions. Come see this dazzling piece at the ONGO. Plan your visit today! @itsalwayssunnyd.bsky.social @thebetterbrown.bsky.social

This Quebec-born painter was encouraged from an early age to fan her artistic spark, first through pencils and watercolours before moving onto acrylics and eventually oil. She counts various North American masters as influences, drawing from them to develop a vibrant style of her own that plays with light, colour and movement.

From her ‘Kitchen’ series comes this dazzling work dedicated to your hard-working neighborhood bartender. Everybody’s got a favourite pub, a safe space to celebrate the good times and mourn the bad ones. On those occasions, your local mixologist suddenly becomes your best friend, someone you can count on to recommend the perfect drink to meet the moment. One night, that drink might take the form of Henrick’s Gin, a delightfully peculiar Scottish blend infused with rose and cucumber. But tonight, our bartender suggests a stiff belt of Four Walls Whiskey, a blend of smooth, triple-distilled Irish whiskeys mixed with a hint of American rye. Whatever’s ailing you, the best solution is always to “stuff it down with brown”.

Whatever your poison of choice, this eye-popping work will surely whet your thirst for the best in Contemporary Art. Come quench that thirst here at the ONGO. Plan your visit today!

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OFFICIAL Ongo Gablogian Museum of Fine Arts @ongomuseum.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

Antonis Mor, ‘Portrait of a Gentleman’ (1570) Tap photo for details about Brian van Unger, an Antwerp-based lawyer best known for his frequent legal clashes with a local tavern. Come see this masterpiece at the ONGO. Plan your visit today! @iambrianunger.bsky.social @alwaysunnyontv.bsky.social

This Dutch portrait painter was heavily in demand throughout most of his career, developing a formal style often compared to the works of Titian. His early success led to commissions from the royal courts of England, Spain, Portugal and Belgium before he eventually returned to the Netherlands. Once back home, he balanced his court paintings with those of local artisans and professionals. By the end of his life, Mor further expanded his repertoire, devoting more of his focus to religious and mythological themes.

Thanks in part to the painting’s generic title, the identity of this particular work’s model remained a mystery for centuries. Only in recent years have eagle-eyed art historians been able to attach a name to its subject: Brian van Unger, an Antwerp-based lawyer of possible Jewish origin. His most celebrated cases involved a local tavern with which he frequently clashed over various health violations. Over time, van Unger’s pursuit of justice morphed into a personal vendetta against the pub’s owners at the expense of his once-thriving career. During one particularly volatile day in court, he was left partially blinded during a violent melee after a witness’ Poconos Swallow gouged his right eye.

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OFFICIAL Ongo Gablogian Museum of Fine Arts @ongomuseum.bsky.social · 25/01/2025

James Jacques Joseph Tissot, ‘Portrait of a Priest’ (1885) Tap photo for details about Father Bichet, a French Catholic missionary who preached about the dangers of associating with jabronis. Come see this masterpiece at the ONGO. Plan your visit today! #itsalwayssunny #robmcelhenney #macday

James Jacques Joseph Tissot, ‘Portrait of a Priest’ (1885)

This French painter, illustrator and caricaturist was a celebrated and well-connected artist who counted Oscar Wilde, James McNeill Whistler and Edgar Degas among his friends. Excelling in a variety of genres, he briefly took a break from painting to serve in the Franco-Prussian War before settling in London in 1871.

This particular portrait features the brother of Tissot’s sister-in-law: Father Marc Bichet, a French Catholic missionary best known for building a church in Gabon back in 1887. There, he endeared himself to the Nkomi people by delivering fiery, hours-long sermons about the dangers of associating with jabronis, i.e. lame pretenders seeking to steer impressionable folks away from the ‘one true faith’. Bichet also preached passionately about the importance of serving one’s fellow parishioners, which often took the form of wiping down sweaty male tribesmen during their feats of strength competitions. In honour of his contributions to their spiritual wellbeing, the Nkomi declared October 2nd ‘Marc Day’, a holiday still observed by Catholics on the west coast of this small African nation.

Come see this inspiring masterpiece and countless others up close at the ONGO. Plan your visit today!

https://www.instagram.com/p/DFO1AAPsEQW/?hl=en

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OFFICIAL Ongo Gablogian Museum of Fine Arts @ongomuseum.bsky.social · 08/01/2025

@alwaysunnyontv.bsky.social Joshua Reynolds, ‘Sarah Campbell’ (1777) Tap photo for details. Come see this engaging masterpiece and countless others up close at the ONGO. Plan your visit today! #itsalwayssunny #kaitlinolson

Joshua Reynolds, ‘Sarah Campbell’ (1777)
A prolific painter in his day who was knighted by King George III in 1769, this English artist’s work is well represented at the ONGO; see our previous post on another prized Reynolds painting on display right here in our halls, i.e.. ‘Captain George K. H. Coussmaker’ (1782).

This particular example of 18th century English portraiture features Sarah Campbell, one of three daughters sired by Scottish Member of Parliament Pryce Campbell. Though she never followed her father into politics, Sarah achieved notoriety of her own as an aspiring stage actress of limited talent best known for bit parts in local productions, even traveling to Ireland for a single scene in a Dublin-based melodrama. Her most controversial performance was that of Rhiannon, the daughter of Constable Murtaugh in ‘Lethal Weapon, Part XI’; tasked with playing the spoiled kin of a Welsh moor, Campbell chose to perform in blackface as a clownish and deeply offensive caricature, effectively ending her career before it got off the ground.

Come see this engaging masterpiece and countless others up close at the ONGO. Plan your visit today!

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OFFICIAL Ongo Gablogian Museum of Fine Arts @ongomuseum.bsky.social · 08/01/2025

@alwaysunnyontv.bsky.social 19th Century German School, ‘Gentleman with Top Hat’ (1838) Tap photo for details. Come see this captivating painting and countless other masterpieces up close at the ONGO. Plan your visit today! #itsalwayssunny #geoffreyowens

19th Century German School, ‘Gentleman with Top Hat’ (1838)

Though the artist’s name remains a mystery, this painting’s subject has been identified as Johann Gottlob Venus, a notorious German-born charlatan. Born in 1788, he assumed various aliases in order to insinuate himself into social circles throughout Europe and swindle hapless aristocrats out of their money. At different times, he went by Elvin Tibideaux, Donovan McNabb and Donald Cheadle, among other pseudonyms, before finally settling in 1830s Munich under his given name where he dropped his felonious ways and applied his talents as a theatre actor well into old age.

Come see this captivating painting and countless other masterpieces up close at the ONGO. Plan your visit today!

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OFFICIAL Ongo Gablogian Museum of Fine Arts @ongomuseum.bsky.social · 08/01/2025

@alwaysunnyontv.bsky.social Unknown, ‘Captain Charles William Le Geyt (1733–1827), 3rd Regiment of Foot’ (1760s) Tap photo for details. Come see this beguiling painting and countless other masterpieces up close at the ONGO. Plan your visit today! #itsalwayssunny #glennhoweron

Unknown, ‘Captain Charles William Le Geyt (1733–1827), 3rd Regiment of Foot’ (1760s)

Various names have been thrown around regarding the possible identity of this work’s painter, but at least its subject is not in doubt: Charles William Le Geyt, a military officer who participated in numerous notable battles throughout his career. Though largely ridiculed by his subordinates for his inflated ego and general snobbery (epitomized by his weekly mani-pedis while in the field), he had a gift for flattery that kept him in good standing with his superiors, enabling him to eventually reach the rank of Captain despite his dubious merits. Worse still, he often told family and friends that he was actually a General, falsely proclaiming himself a “five star man” to anyone who would listen. It is perhaps under this false premise that he managed to convince someone to paint this enthralling portrait of what we can generally agree is, at best, a pretty mediocre figure in British military history.

Come see this beguiling painting and countless other masterpieces up close at the ONGO. Plan your visit today!

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OFFICIAL Ongo Gablogian Museum of Fine Arts @ongomuseum.bsky.social · 08/01/2025

@alwaysunnyontv.bsky.social Hendrik Heerschop, ‘The African King Caspar’ (1654) Tap photo for details. Come see this stirring Dutch Golden Age painting and thousands of other masterpieces at the ONGO. Plan your visit today! #itsalwayssunny #chadlcoleman

Hendrik Heerschop, ‘The African King Caspar’ (1654)

This little-known painter was one of countless artists to sprout from the boom in demand for commissioned artwork during the Dutch Golden Age. Based in the cultural hub of Haarlem, Netherlands, Heerschop is believed that have studied under both Willem Heda and Rembrandt. Though his work is largely unheralded, this particular piece stands out for its depiction of someone other than a member of the white elite who dominated the artwork of the era. Of those few paintings featuring people of color, the vast majority were devoted to either slaves or lowly servants. Refreshingly, Heerschop instead presents us with a dignified portrait of an African king, and not just any monarch: King Caspar was one of the three Biblical Magi who brought gifts to the infant Jesus (his offering being frankincense, a symbol of the newborn’s divinity).

The model who sat for this painting was an acquaintance of Heerschop’s: a professional dog breeder and groomer known to his friends simply as Zhee. The painter had recently purchased two small, spaniel-like sporting dogs (i.e. Kooikerhondjes) from Zhee, and upon their first meeting he immediately hired the latter to sit for him. Being highly protective of his dogs and not wanting to be separated from them for any extended length of time, Zhee accepted Heerschop’s offer on the condition that the sittings take place in his small home located underneath the Gravestenenbrug Bridge.

Come see this stirring Dutch Golden Age painting and thousands of other masterpieces at the ONGO. Plan your visit today!

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OFFICIAL Ongo Gablogian Museum of Fine Arts @ongomuseum.bsky.social · 08/01/2025

@alwaysunnyontv.bsky.social James McNeill Whistler, ‘An Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1’, aka ‘Whistler’s Mother’ (1871) Tap this photo for details. Come see this undisputed masterpiece up close while you can. Plan your visit today! #itsalwayssunny #macsmom

James McNeill Whistler, ‘An Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1’, aka ‘Whistler’s Mother’ (1871)

An American artist who worked with oils and watercolor, Whistler made it his mission to eschew sentimentality or assign a moral component to his paintings, all in an attempt to create “art for art’s sake”. His compositions were known for their austerity and the use of a restrained palette, artistic choices that clashed with the more lavish tastes of the Victorian era.

He’d been living in London for years by the time he recruited his mother for his most famous piece. James had intended to paint her while standing up, but his taciturn, ill-tempered mother flatly refused to comply and would only cooperate if painted while seated. Countless sessions were required to complete the painting, during which a lit cigarette never left her mouth. Although he considered omitting it from the finished work, he later decided to include it, in keeping with his mission to avoid embellishing or beautifying his subjects.

While Whistler and his mother shared a difficult, even tumultuous relationship, he often sang her praises to friends and clearly regarded her with much affection. Conversely, she paid him little attention and seemed largely indifferent to his adoring overtures. Still, he never regarded the finished painting as any sort of tribute to either her or motherhood in general, and though initial reactions to it were wildly mixed, the public eventually ascribed those very qualities to it, much to the artist’s dismay. Today, ‘Whistler’s Mother’ remains a cherished symbol of parental love and ‘family values’; it has transcended the art world and firmly planted its flag within the annals of pop culture.

After months of negotiations with the Musée d'Orsay in Paris, the ONGO is thrilled to announce the temporary exhibition of one of the world’s most recognizable paintings. Come see this undisputed masterpiece up close while you can. Plan your visit today!

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OFFICIAL Ongo Gablogian Museum of Fine Arts @ongomuseum.bsky.social · 02/01/2025

John Frederick Harrison Dutton, ‘Robert Henry Grenville Tatton (Young Man Seated with a Dog)’ (1904) Tap on this painting to find out more about its backstory, and make sure to visit the ONGO to experience it up close. Plan your visit today! #ItsAlwaysSunny #RobMcelhenney #Poppins

John Frederick Harrison Dutton, ‘Robert Henry Grenville Tatton (Young Man Seated with a Dog)’ (1904)

John F. Harrison Dutton was a British Impressionist & Modern artist born in 1872. Though little is known about the English painter, this particular piece has grown in stature in recent years, owing in part to the rising popularity of 19th and 20th century canine portraiture. The pooch featured here was a particularly wily terrier named Poppins, and his contrarian temperament was said to be matched only by his master’s.

Tatton was the last known member of his family to have owned Wythenshawe Hall (located just outside Manchester), and it’s been widely reported that he often hosted scandalous soirées there for himself and his small circle of fellow scoundrels. During these absinthe-and-opium fueled gatherings, he and his cronies were believed to have hatched countless criminal schemes that they later carried out throughout the county. Though almost always evading arrest by the local police due to lack of evidence, Tatton remained a notorious figure throughout his lifetime; only his enduring affection for his troublesome pet (himself known for both his peculiar diet and his frequent attacks on anyone who dared come near him) seemed to soften to Tatton’s reputation amongst his peers.

Come see this captivating masterpiece and countless others at the ONGO, and make sure to visit by Monday, January 6th to enjoy our gallery-wide display of Christmas trees and other festive decor before they’re all stored away for the year. Plan your visit today!

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OFFICIAL Ongo Gablogian Museum of Fine Arts @ongomuseum.bsky.social · 22/12/2024

The entire staff of the ONGO GABLOGIAN MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS wishes everyone a non-bullshit, non-derivative Christmas and a 2025 you’d happily trade your limbs for. Thanks for making the ONGO’s first year a huge success! Keep it subtle. #ongomuseum #itsalwayssunny #itsalwayssunnyinphiladelphia

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OFFICIAL Ongo Gablogian Museum of Fine Arts @ongomuseum.bsky.social · 22/12/2024

LAST-MINUTE SALE!! Between now and January 4th, our high-quality Norman Rockwell prints are now 40% OFF!! For just $77.99 USD each, you can take home these beloved holiday-themed illustrations by one of America’s most iconic artists. Plan your visit to the ONGO today! @alwayssunny @ongomuseum

Christmas is just three days away, and we know some of you are still hunting for the perfect gift for that special person in your life who appreciates the finer things. The ONGO has got you covered: between now and January 4th, our high-quality Norman Rockwell prints are now 40% OFF!! For just $77.99 USD each, you can take home these beloved holiday-themed illustrations by one of America’s most iconic artists. And while you’re at it, why not pick up an extra one for yourself? You’ve been extra good this year, right? Santa would want you to treat yourself!

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OFFICIAL Ongo Gablogian Museum of Fine Arts @ongomuseum.bsky.social · 15/12/2024

P. Franco, ‘Portrait Of A Beggar’, aka ‘Miguel el Mendigo’ (19th century) #itsalwayssunny #ricketycricket #davidhornsby

Originally discovered at a deceased Madrid-based lawyer’s estate sale in 1959, this somber painting has grown in stature over the decades. Much of its cachet comes from the mystery that surrounds it; art historians agree it bares all the earmarks of 19th century Spanish School portraiture but have failed thus far to trace its lineage. The back of the canvas is signed ‘P. Franco’ yet no records have been found bearing this artist’s name, much less a backstory for this piece.

The identity of the painting’s pitiable subject also remains unknown, but this lowly panhandler has since become a potent symbol of the economic struggles rampant throughout Spain during the 1800s. Having fallen behind much of Europe due to its delayed adoption of industrialization, Spain’s lack of economic progress at the time was further hampered by political instability, uprisings and unstable governments. As such, Franco’s beggar now occupies a special place in the heart of Spaniards everywhere, becoming a fictional folk hero nicknamed ‘Miguel el Mendigo in the process. In the last twenty years alone, ‘Miguel’ has been the inspiration for several novels and plays, including 2006’s award-winning musical ‘Tembloroso Grillo’, which reimagines Miguel as a modern-day vagabond who performs sex acts for beer money, participates in dog orgies and even becomes a victim of forced organ harvesting.

Through an agreement with that country’s Ministry of Culture, the ONGO has just signed a ten-year lease that allows it to display this provocative painting right here in Philadelphia. Come see it and countless other masterpieces up close. Plan your visit today!

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OFFICIAL Ongo Gablogian Museum of Fine Arts @ongomuseum.bsky.social · 13/12/2024

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the ONGO. Between our ‘Norman Rockwell Holidays’ exhibition and the dozens of Christmas trees stationed throughout our gallery, it’s the perfect place to soak up some of Philadelphia’s holiday spirit. Plan your visit today! #itsalwayssunny

To celebrate its very first holiday season, the ONGO is decking its halls with dozens of festive Christmas trees, many of which were donated to us by Philly area schools and businesses. This one (located in our Contemporary Art wing) comes to us from the young students of Willard R. Abbott Elementary and features a nautical theme. According to Abbott principal Ava Coleman (seen in 2nd photo), she dreamt up the idea for this tree herself while vacationing on a famous rapper’s yacht this past summer. [For the record, Coleman insists that the rapper in question was NOT Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs.]

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OFFICIAL Ongo Gablogian Museum of Fine Arts @ongomuseum.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

Francisco de Zurbarán, ‘Saint Francis In Prayer In A Grotto’ (1650-1655) Come see this provocative masterpiece and countless more up close at the ONGO. Plan your visit today! #ItsAlwaysSunny #OngoMuseum #RobMcElhenney

Francisco de Zurbarán, ‘Saint Francis In Prayer In A Grotto’ (1650-1655)
This Spanish painter was best known for his religious pieces and his use of ‘chiaroscuro’ (i.e. a style of painting involving strong contrasts between light and dark). His nickname ‘Spanish Caravaggio’ is derived from his skill at chiaroscuro.

Saint Francis of Assisi was a frequent subject of Zurbarán’s paintings, usually depicted in prayer, meditation or a state of religious ecstasy. This particular work has proven rather controversial in recent years as a result of several wild conspiracy theories that have sprouted about its possible symbolism. Some historians have surmised that the appearance of the skull (which is generally agreed to represent Christ’s crucifixion) instead hints at a centuries-old rumour that Saint Francis was a notorious serial killer. As further “proof”, these same historians argue that the stigmata seen on his right hand is actually a blood stain left by one of his victims.

Other conspiracy theorists take issue with Francis’ wearing of the three-knotted rope wrapped around his waist. While the knots have long been believed to represent the Franciscan vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, some remain convinced that they instead depict a set of anal beads. Seen in this alternate light, they argue that this painting depicts a repentant Saint Francis praying for guidance and forgiveness regarding his sexual orientation. [The less said about the largely ridiculed theory that the open book seen in front of Francis is actually a set of instructions on how to build a dildo bike, the better.]

Come see this provocative masterpiece and countless others up close at the ONGO. Plan your visit today!

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OFFICIAL Ongo Gablogian Museum of Fine Arts @ongomuseum.bsky.social · 02/12/2024

Nicolas Régnier, ‘Self-Portrait with a Portrait on an Easel’ (1620-1625) Come see the artist’s adoring tribute to Chassen van Utley, a Dutch nobleman who helped introduce cricket to Italy during the early 1600s. Plan your visit to the ONGO today! #ItsAlwaysSunny #RobMcElhenney #ChaseUtley #Phillies

Nicolas Régnier, ‘Self-Portrait with a Portrait on an Easel’ (1620-1625)

Born in an area that now straddles the border between France and Belgium, this painter, art dealer and collector applied his elegant, refined painting style to everything from genre and religious scenes to mythological subjects and portraits. After completing an apprenticeship in Antwerp, he eventually found his way to Rome. During one fateful day in 1619, Régnier attended a cricket match between the Padua Prestissimos and the Milanese Minstrels. The event was hosted by Padua captain Chassen van Utley, a Dutch nobleman who had spent several years in England learning the new sport and now sought to popularize it in his adopted country of Italy.

After the briefest of interactions post-match, the painter felt an immediate connection with van Utley and pursued a friendship with him over the next few years, usually in the form of lengthy, amorous letters that suggested an almost childlike worship of this virtual stranger. Despite his best efforts, these overtures went unreciprocated, inspiring Régnier to then devote a number of his paintings to adoring likenesses of the Dutchman.

The ONGO is proud to have amongst its permanent collection arguably the best known of these portraits (which features both men), along with one of those aforementioned letters; here, Régnier writes of his strained relationship with his father and invites van Utley to tutor him on how to play cricket. Come see these masterpieces and countless others up close at the ONGO. Plan your visit today!

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OFFICIAL Ongo Gablogian Museum of Fine Arts @ongomuseum.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

John William Waterhouse, ‘The Bird Lady of Shalott’ (1888) Come see this mesmerizing masterpiece and countless more at the ONGO. Plan your visit today! #ItsAlwaysSunny #KaitlinOlson

John William Waterhouse, ‘The Bird Lady of Shalott’ (1888)
This English painter was perhaps best known for embracing the style of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, which focused on abundant detail, rich color palettes and intricate compositions. As a result of that collective’s influence, much of his work was devoted to painting women of Greek mythology and Arthurian legend.

‘The Bird Lady of Shalott’ is a prime example of the latter and is based on Alfred Tennyson’s poem recounting the tragic tale of the Lady Deandra. She pines for the safe return of her betrothed Sir Benjamin, who is leading a search for the Holy Grail at the Glastonbury Abbey in Somerset. Feeling increasingly anxious in his absence, she locks herself away in her father’s tower on a tiny island up the river from Camelot and vows not to leave it until Benjamin has returned to her. Weeks have passed when she suddenly spies his fellow knights riding past the tower; Benjamin is not among their number, and more distressingly his men are bearing black sashes.

Believing her betrothed dead, the inconsolable Deandra screeches in despair for hours on end, then rushes down to the river and finds a boat upon which she writes her name. After saying a silent prayer, she lays down in it and allows the current to carry her to Camelot. By the time the boat reaches its destination, she has passed away from a broken heart. Her body is eventually discovered by Sir Benjamin himself, who is very much alive; he had sent the rest of his cavalry home ahead of him while he stayed behind in Somerset to bury his young page who had succumbed to influenza during their quest for the Grail.

Waterhouse brings Lady Deandra’s final moments to exhilarating life in his first of three paintings inspired by Tennyson’s poem. Come see this stirring masterpiece and countless others up close at the ONGO. Plan your visit today!

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OFFICIAL Ongo Gablogian Museum of Fine Arts @ongomuseum.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

The word is out all over Philadelphia: the ONGO is here! We’ve been flooding the zone with ads to make sure everybody knows about the city’s new cultural epicenter. Plan your visit today! #ItsAlwaysSunny #Philadelphia

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OFFICIAL Ongo Gablogian Museum of Fine Arts @ongomuseum.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

Portrait of French-Canadian aristocrat Brian LeFevre, i.e. the scandal-plagued ambassador to New France (now Quebec) back in the 1700s. [The artist’s identity remains a mystery because of the implications.] Come see this masterpiece at the ONGO. Plan your visit today! #ItsAlwaysSunny

Unknown, ‘Portrait of Ambassador Brian LeFevre’ (18th century)
Discovered hidden behind cases of condensed crow milk in a former Nazi officer’s basement in 1952, this unsigned painting remains something of a mystery. While it features all the telltale signs of 17th century French School portraiture, the artist responsible for this gorgeous piece is still unknown. Its subject, however, is all too well known to history buffs: French-Canadian aristocrat Brian LeFevre, who spent time in Paris while in his role as ambassador to New France (known today as Quebec). LeFevre was notorious in French social circles as an arrogant, short-tempered womanizer whose many sex scandals were ultimately swept under the rug by King Louis XV (who happened to be LeFevre’s cousin). As such, it is believed that LeFevre kept the identity of his portrait’s artist a secret because of the implications.

Come see this masterpiece and countless more up close at the ONGO. Plan your visit today!

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OFFICIAL Ongo Gablogian Museum of Fine Arts @ongomuseum.bsky.social · 30/11/2024

Just in time for the holidays, LITTLE GOLDEN BOOKS proudly presents the latest addition to their line of cherished children’s titles: CHARLIE & THE WAITRESS! Now available at the ONGO’s gift shop…stop by and pick up your copy today!!

The ONGO and LITTLE GOLDEN BOOKS are proud to present the publisher’s latest release: CHARLIE & THE WAITRESS, written by South Philadelphia native Domithilde Aucoin. A former high school French teacher who later found her calling as a successful children’s author, Ms. Aucoin’s latest book is inspired by the popular FXX series IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA. Featuring charming illustrations from character designer Claire Almon, it recounts the tale of Charlie Kelly, a janitor who finds himself head-over-heels in love with a woman known simply as The Waitress. He’s eager to win her affections, but there’s just one problem: she can’t stand him! Meanwhile, his roommate Frank attempts to cheat at a local chess tournament…with help from their friend Mac’s anal beads! Perfect for children aged 2 to 5, fans of the hit television series and hopeless romantics everywhere, readers of all ages are sure to adore this new addition to the LITTLE GOLDEN BOOKS line.

LITTLE GOLDEN BOOKS enjoy nearly 100% consumer recognition. They feature beloved classics, hot licenses, and new original stories. . . the classics of tomorrow. For its part, the ONGO is always looking to support local artists of all kinds and is thrilled to be partnering with LITTLE GOLDEN BOOKS to promote this delightful new children’s title. Now available for sale at the ONGO’s gift shop and wherever fine books are sold. Get your copy today!

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OFFICIAL Ongo Gablogian Museum of Fine Arts @ongomuseum.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

@wrexhamafc.bsky.social Come see ‘Wrexham A.F.C. 4Ever’, a new exhibit showcasing paintings inspired by the Welsh football club along with other team memorabilia. This exciting marriage of art & sports is a welcome addition to the ONGO’s growing contemporary art wing. Plan your visit today!

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OFFICIAL Ongo Gablogian Museum of Fine Arts @ongomuseum.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

Sir Henry Raeburn, ‘The McPoyle Brothers’ (1811)

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OFFICIAL Ongo Gablogian Museum of Fine Arts @ongomuseum.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

Frigidaire, ‘8500 BTU Portable Air Conditioner w/ LCD Display, Remote Control, Cooling up to 350 sq. ft.‘ www.instagram.com/ongomuseum/

Frigidaire, ‘8500 BTU Portable Air Conditioner w/ LCD Display, Remote Control, Cooling up to 350 sq. ft.‘ When assembling the ONGO’s impressive contemporary art wing, our gallery’s namesake cast a wide net in terms of mediums and styles, selecting works that he felt best represented the near-infinite possibilities of what art can be. Case in point: this Frigidaire portable air conditioner, which Gablogian deems “the single greatest statement on modern-day symbiosis... and it cools!" Come see this provocative masterpiece and countless others up close at the ONGO. Plan your visit today!

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OFFICIAL Ongo Gablogian Museum of Fine Arts @ongomuseum.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

Frida Kahlo, ‘Margareta and Her Parrots’ (1941)

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OFFICIAL Ongo Gablogian Museum of Fine Arts @ongomuseum.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

Gerrit van Honthorst, ‘A Merry Group Behind A Balustrade With A Violin And A Lute Player’ (1623-1624)

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OFFICIAL Ongo Gablogian Museum of Fine Arts @ongomuseum.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

Unknown, ‘Portrait Of A Flutist In His Study’ (1720-1730) Come see this masterpiece and countless others at the ONGO. Plan your visit today!

Unknown, ‘Portrait Of A Flutist In His Study’ (1720-1730) The identity of the artist behind this delightful portrait remains a mystery; all that is known with reasonable certainty is that it was a product of the French School during the 1720s. The subject is believed to be François Renault, a French aristocrat notorious for bringing along young prostitutes as his guests to social functions.

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OFFICIAL Ongo Gablogian Museum of Fine Arts @ongomuseum.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

Read about Ongo Gablogian’s incredible life story in the June 2024 issue of ARTFORUM magazine. Full article can be found here: www.instagram.com/p/DBcOrJvPRd...

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OFFICIAL Ongo Gablogian Museum of Fine Arts @ongomuseum.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

Ludovico Carracci, ‘Portrait Of Ronaldo Alberto Rati ‘Mac’ Opizzoni In Armour’ (1597-1600) Come see this masterpiece and countless others at the ONGO. Plan your visit today!

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OFFICIAL Ongo Gablogian Museum of Fine Arts @ongomuseum.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

Alexander Roslin, ‘Son and Daughter of Franklin Reynolds Esq.’ (1769) Come see this masterpiece and countless others at the ONGO today!

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OFFICIAL Ongo Gablogian Museum of Fine Arts @ongomuseum.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

From the ashes of the former Reid Mental Institution in Southwark (South Philadelphia) rises the majestic ONGO GABLOGIAN MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, a 155,000 sq ft shrine to over six centuries of artwork from legends and up-and-comers alike. Plan your visit today!

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