Bill Murray says painting at Chicago's Art Institute saved his life

[@bradbel]

My Mom had a copy of this painting in our dining room for EVER. When I see that painting, I think of my Mom. God rest her soul.

[@whitneycloud9419]

I'm sorry for your loss.🙏

[@pompey333]

Gods fake and so is this comment.

[@chickadeeacres3864]

@@bradbelseeing this one was a hello from her 🙏🏻

[@michelles2299]

Remembering the mums that have passed thank you for looking after us 🌹

[@lindaanderssonsweden195]

@@pompey333 wow where did that come from?

[@Erik_Ahl]

This is one of the many reason why art is so important.

[@Amtcboy]

The kind of art that is on our minds, not the kind that’s called “new” or “modern” art.

[@Erik_Ahl]

@Amtcboy Why not? Modern art can also have a big impact on someone's life.

[@Amtcboy]

@ You’re right. People shoveling dirt into pails. People jumping with a marker on the wall. People swinging pails with paint unto a canvas. People slithering on the floor. You’re right, my brother and I did all these when we were kids in the mid 60s Didn’t know we were already doing modern art.

[@Erik_Ahl]

@@Amtcboy I know it can be confusing, but art is so much more than just a painting on a canvas and should not be limited to just that medium. Who are we to judge if someone finds beauty and meaning in piles of dirt or people slithering on the floor?

[@Amtcboy]

@ You’re right again. On second thought, it’s the aesthete’s taste and judgement, whether one likes it or not. Everyone is free to say which ones are good, which ones are out of this world and rubbish. Right there, aesthetes judge. Art is at the mercy of those who look at them.

[@VerseauT-cm6tj]

To quote Kathy Bates character in Midnight in Paris, “The artist’s job is not to succumb to despair, but to find an antidote for the emptiness of existence”.

[@user-sj7xv1er1u]

❤ that quote is HEAVY its has SO much meaning, very true, thought provoking. Thank You❤

[@VerseauT-cm6tj]

Check out the KZbin clip to see it for yourself. Great scene. It’s called, “The artist's job is not to succumb to despair but to find an antidote for the emptyness of existence”. Great film btw. Absolutely magical

[@ahill4642]

Seems to me that’s every human’s job, not just artists.

[@Heyu7her3]

Except existence isn't empty

[@Max-zv8hm]

what a bleak quote lol you are a skylarker

[@dogstar7]

I live near the Institute and am a member, so I'm blessed with being able to pop in and rechange my inspirational batteries regularly. I often see small clusters of visitors around this particular painting. It draws you from across the room. The colors are irridecent and the face is angelic. The composition is so naturalistic that you can imagine her walking out of the frame and into the room with you. It's uncanny.

[@marianneegland5576]

@@dogstar7 I have always loved this painting! First saw it at about age 15 and am now 71.

[@mortalclown3812]

​@@marianneegland5576 ❤

[@ilax4244]

Thank you for commenting. I am eager to start visiting museums. I'm 2 hrs away from LA I heard there are many fantastic pieces of art there.

[@penneyburgess5431]

You know it’s good art when it saves someone’s life. Glad Bill Murray was inspired to stay and try again. I would miss him.

[@mommybear2]

Yes, we would've missed out for sure.

[@meloearth]

That was used figuratively. It didn't save him from dying. As my mechanic said, to me, recently when I told him the same after he repaired my flat tire on a Saturday. But he did save my life because I had no food at home, no food for the dogs, and my car is the only way I could get out to get food.

[@heytibby]

Bill Murray wouldn't miss you. He has no idea who you are or care 😂😂

[@bogtrottername7001]

@@heytibby .......and why should we expect that he would ? Struggle to make your way .

[@annamarielewis7078]

Art is such an integral part of our humanity.

[@flutebasket4294]

Not really. You're just a bourgeois cosmopolitan.

[@josephmayfield945]

That's why AI generated imagery is a terrible thing.

[@MrBurgher]

So true!

[@sidpheasant7585]

But that humanity you refer to is truly divinity. Might be contrasted with, say, Jack Black, whose "art" has neither humanity nor divinity (in most cases)...

[@WhiteTiger333]

I fell in love with that painting when I was a child in the '50s. It was in an art book my grandmother had. When I was a teen, my family moved to the suburbs of Chicago. The first time I visited the Art Institute, I turned a corner, and there the original painting was! I didn't know it would be there. I was completely transfixed. It absolutely glowed, and my heart filled.

[@mariacompton1416]

The look on the girls face is absolutely stunning…the expression of awe and wonder and delight is amazing..so beautiful.

[@ajvintage9579]

What a beautiful story. Let’s support the arts!

[@elenaarman-tang7811]

Always 👏👏👏

[@claudialunden3691]

The Art Institute of Chicago is well worth many visits.

[@WhiteTiger333]

When I lived in Downers Grove in the '60s, the Art Institute was my home away from home. 😍

[@marklesliewoods]

You’ll never walk alone - with the sweet, silver song of a lark . . . ❤

[@c.caub5315]

Art does save lives. Beautiful story

[@barbarawillis5187]

Nice to hear Bill Murray talk about why The Song of the Lark is his favorite painting.

[@LorisBenedict]

We may be cash poor, but God gives us riches. Sunrises Sunsets Bird song Gentle rains Fragrant flowers Sights and sounds to inspire, fascinate, and comfort us.

[@VerseauT-cm6tj]

Friendship Funny comedians (like Bill Murray) Chocolate Mozart Kittens and puppies

[@MamaJLW]

Towering mountains Ocean surf Whales

[@kristennoelle9447]

@@LorisBenedict God is truly The greatest Artist of All 🙏💜

[@WaspHokie]

👌

[@Firefighter53]

Agreed. Nature is God's greatest gift to me.

[@cece585]

Thank you for posting this. It’s what I needed today ❤

[@izzyci]

the power of art, it saves lives where medicine cannot

[@penneyburgess5431]

Exactly.❤

[@dawna8695]

really well said.

[@ellenchavez2043]

Oh, that's one of my favorites as well. I always look for it when I visit the Institute. It definitely pulls you to a higher vision.

[@catherinethemba]

So lucky. I'd love to see it.

[@iracer9395]

A man painted this and it saved someone’s life over 100 years later. Never underestimate the power of good works. They may last much longer than you do. ❤

[@KatrenaS]

💯✅❤️

[@ltvanburen8555]

That was my mom’s favorite painting. A print hung in our house for decades.

[@stan4now]

I too, felt Song of the Lark by Jules Breton, had saved me, same as the wonderful Bill Murray, tho I didn't know it at the time. I had a mirror copy that I often meditated on with a glass of wine, while listening to Lark Ascending by Ralph Vaughn Williams. I was able to easily let my ex-wife have it. I could've gotten another, but after all the years, it had become an inseparable part of me. Thank You Gloria Groom and Everyone at the Chicago Art Institute, for preserving and presenting the greatest treasures all can enjoy!

[@ArtsyMario]

Such a beautiful painting. I get the message of perseverance, no matter what life brings you, you keep going. Tomorrow is a new day and another chance to do better.

[@Joe-cu4hi]

What an inspiring story of Bill Murray and the beautiful background story of the gorgeous painting. On a side note the Museum Director was stunningly beautiful too 😊

[@telosmonos_gustavo]

Art rarely makes the news these days unless it's intended to be controversial and sensationalist. Thank you CBS Chicago for this very nice and refreshing segment on the power of art and its' positive impact on people!

[@dianebosleytaylor9451]

I have ALWAYS loved this painting I lived 50 years of my life in Michigan. It was a fun adventure to drive to Chicago, visit grandma and go to the ART INSTITUTE. I fell in love. With art and museums and travel all at once. But to me this painting told me how important hard work is. I love it.

[@SteveLomas-k6k]

That's how it feels to me; it's a cold early morning and you have hard work to do, but you find inspiration in something- I've lived in Michigan for 20 years so maybe it's a Michigander thing!?

[@Jebbie1976]

It really is a lovely painting.♥

[@xelamercedes]

A print of that painting hung over the little table I shared with five other students in first grade. She was my guardian angel all that year. I'm almost 70 now and that painting figures in my soon-to-be-published memoir.

[@pinchebruha405]

That’s a very sweeet sentiment and homage to an artist ❤

[@NZKiwi87]

Ooo what’s the name of your memoir?

[@xelamercedes]

@@NZKiwi87 I don't dare say it yet lest I jinx the project. Besides, the publisher is trying to talk me into changing the title...

[@NZKiwi87]

@ that makes sense - well I’m wishing you all the very best with it! 💐

[@xelamercedes]

@@NZKiwi87 Thanks.

[@Grandizer8989]

I never heard about this painting until I went to the museum and it definitely caught my attention. I love how paintings captured everyday life of peasants. The Dutch did a good job of that too.

[@PatriciaEpifanio-p3b]

Inspirational. Thank you for posting.

[@BunnyDarko]

Wow this is the clip I needed in my feed today 🥰

[@martineldritch]

It really is an amazing painting and it stunned me when I first saw it dropping by the museum on the way to catch a train east to college. The warm magenta sun and the lark on the wing take the viewers' eyes off of how big the girl's feet are. Breton did to her feet what Michelangelo did to his David's hands

[@stan4now]

I didn't think her feet were out of proportion. One could take measurements, I suppose. It's more important what it means to you.

[@christianfrommuslim]

Wonderful painting and coverage!

[@kiddozoo]

Eleanor showed her genius yet again.

[@rockweiler777]

This painting saved my Mom as well, to hear her tell it. She sang a lot!

[@celieboo]

I needed to hear this. I have made mistakes in my life, and I feel like I will never overcome them. This feeling of hopelessness plagues me everyday.

[@Bettinasisrg]

Please forgive yourself and realize it's with every new day we can be a new person. Is it our mistakes we should focus on or how to leave a positive impact from this day forward. I hope you find peace, from a faraway internet stranger who has also made mistakes.

[@berserkirclaws107]

Many things touch us and help us in very personal way from songs to painting or simple sentence in a book and they can tip the balance sometimes.

[@katrinat.3032]

Art is amazing that way. And all forms speak to us differently.❤

[@M-Is-For-Margaret]

I really like Dali's St. John of the Cross. I remember seeing it in a book and thinking, 'Wow, the perspective is incredible.' Finding out about The Song of the Lark, and how it helped Bill Murray through a difficult time, made me wonder what I turn to for solace during tough moments. For one of my friends, it's prayer-her belief in God and trust that everything has a purpose brings her comfort.

[@annamarielewis7078]

I was privileged to visit the Dali museum in Girona, Spain. What a treat. He was always my favorite artist, along with Bosch, whose work I also saw in Madrid.💪

[@M-Is-For-Margaret]

@@annamarielewis7078What a super nice treat! 🤩👍

[@VUrban-yr5ch]

If it's good enough for Bill Murray it's good enough for me. 🤗

[@amazingandrea9983]

Thank you, Willa Cather.

[@singerjen212]

Wonderful art, wonderful news.

[@evypeace03]

What a beautiful story. What a beautiful painting. It does give off a feeling of hope. I think I'll visit our local art museum today. 🖼🎨🫶

[@lilywondertwin]

Wonderful story !

[@Thatsinteresting363]

It’s such a beautiful painting ❤ The look on the peasant girls face is mesmerizing

[@joycekaminski1943]

I have a favorite at the The Dayton Art Institute in Dayton, Oh. It is called The Nightingale and again, it shows a woman sitting listening to a nightingale sing. Beautiful and serene.

[@KatrenaS]

I love this-this is awesome that you share the beauty of Mr Murray’s mental lift resulting from this incredible painting ♥️

[@carnellzabolocky5528]

This painting among others is significant. The list is too long to say. Millet's The Gleaners is truly exceptional!

[@humzakhan2519]

It is a beautifully executed painting 🖼️ ❤️

[@lkathparrish]

And for us music lovers, inspiration comes from Vaughn Williams' "The Lark Ascending."

[@julieb7785]

Right on...recently discovered some of his pieces.....listening now to your suggestion on youtube. Beautiful.

[@SamSung-xz7jt]

1881 George Meredith - The Lark Ascending 1884 Jules Breton - The Song of the Lark 1914 Vaughan Williams - The Lark Ascending 1915 The Song of the Lark - Willa Cather 1945 Rodgers and Hammerstein- You'll Never Walk Alone

[@HaloFlemz86]

What a classy man. ❤

[@margaritaortiz4323]

That red sun is inspiring. God reminds us every day that he loves us.

[@steverogers2603]

We have had this in our house for decades. Cool to learn about others appreciation for it.

[@marciabueno5093]

There is nothing like the American dream! Love this country

[@charlesreimler962]

Bill Murray Movie St. Vincent Is My Favorite “Work Of Art.” Awesome

[@tonypalermo5796]

I have a copy of this painting that was hanging in my house in WV back in the 80s

[@jdo333]

The beauty of Art.....is that it touches many people in all different ways......❤

[@RichardFranciskovich]

WE LOVE YOU BILL ❤😂

[@nathansharp3193]

thanks for sharing this

[@mase7557]

Every Chicagoan should visit the Art Institute. There some AMAZING works of art that will brighten your day.

[@1981SEH]

It's really a truly beautiful painting.

[@SrSilly]

man, yeah, that one is one of my favorites too. I would say that images of it do not give it justice. Viewing it in person is a whole other experience. Its huge and the light values give it an uncanny aura. Like a vivid memory that someone else had. Stunning.

[@nowic3921]

What I see is that the girl is the lark. She is the one singing since her mouth is slightly open. I think she is praising God for the beauty of the sunrise and the gift of another day. Art truly is inspiring.

[@mortalclown3812]

A Gauguin triptych saved me. 'Who Are We? Where Do We Come From? Where Are We Going?' It's in Boston. Here's to art, friends. Paz y luz

[@stan4now]

Peace and Light to you, as well. There are answers with what we feel and experience. Jung saw how his dreams and those of his patients opened our heart, mind and soul. He reminded us of Gauguin in his Mysterium Coniunctionis on our inner connection. Having been thru Jungian analysis, I agree with Wm Wordsworth on "Immortality." "Our birth is but a sleep and forgetting, Our soul that rises with us, our life's star, Hath elsewhere its setting and cometh from afar, Not in entire forgetfulness, And not in utter nakedness, But trailing clouds of glory do we come From God, who is our home: Heaven lies about us in our infancy! Sending in the clown now and then is part of it.

[@JulieAdams-pm8nm]

Beautiful ......

[@mrmillcake8525]

2:26 "the attention to detail" that's a very smart thing to say about the art.

[@planckstudios]

This story is 10 years old. This is the news we needed to hear just before an election. Golly, thanks for keeping us educated CBS

[@davidhamilton5689]

Great message for our times, not that peasants belong in the field but that there is hope for everyone who is fortunate enough to see the sun rise. Thank you Bill Murray.

[@hermessantos1601]

Beautiful! I love Art and study Aesthetics, and that's really satisfying to me. That's what I think Art is for, an expression of human spirit, capable of touching each one in the humanity in it.

[@Stillthierry]

Back in college I used to walk to the Art Institute and stare at this painting for 10 - 15 min. Glad to see I wasn't the only one it had this captivating effect on

[@jlmoses16]

Beautiful!

[@equistremo]

What a beautiful piece

[@ilax4244]

It is a beautiful piece of art. It would inspire me too

[@meloearth]

The most interesting part to me is that Van Gogh stood in front of this painting and admired it. The woman is transported out of where she is to the land of wonderment. Birds do that to us. That sun is amazing. It's the end of the day, time to go home, and there she is, frozen in awe.

[@KamJ2010]

I saw this at the Art Institute. It is captivating.

[@danryan4137]

I hope that this amazing painting is protected from soup throwing wackos😮

[@clintonreisig]

climate change protestors

[@ahill4642]

Nice. I love knowing that Vincent mentioned that lovely painting to Theo. ☺️ He was always telling his bro of cool art stuff he saw.

[@TheJhtlag]

i go to art galleries more than occasionally, never heard of it. It is pretty cool how it has gotten good attributions from diverse directions: Bill Murray, popular during the early days of the depression*, Willa Cather, Van Gogh and how it means different things to different people. Chicago might be a tough get for me, but.... it's on the list Kinda curious how Eleanor Roosevelt "unveiled it" when it was presumably already on display? Or was this revealing the winner of the "most popular" picture in a survey? (and why was Eleanor Roosevelt involved?) ... ... so the answer to that is she was attending the Chicago World's Fair "A century of progress" in 1934. It also had a mention in Thomas Wolfe's "Look Homeward Angel" I'm sure it's pretty popular now but interesting how iconic it must have been of the times early 20th century.

[@TxCwby]

Used to be one of my favorite escapes/inspirations. CAI is one of the excellent things about Chicago.

[@jenniferspring8741]

Maybe the true meaning is in the actual song of a lark. Birdsong is very important to the growth of plants, did you know? It's a very important experience for all beings in all ecosystems. Birdsong is joy, is health.

[@mroge1959]

This is one of my favorite paintings!

[@chrisg9174]

I think it shows the power of nature expressed in art.

[@Firefighter53]

CBS News Chicago is a "thinking person's" newscast. It is refreshing compared to the rest. Thank you.

[@honeybeeisme]

One of my favorite paintings… and perhaps my favorite book of Willa Cather’s… both beautiful!!!

[@timwhite7127]

I wish the story went a bit deeper into the WHY the piece had the effect on Murray that it did other than to leave it at the surface 'fact' of the story headline. Be that as it may it is indeed a lovely work of art...

[@japcar84]

Don't forget about that other painting that saved Cameron's life. But, we must not forget how Ferris also rescued him from the bottom of the pool.

[@LorriePenfield]

Sooooo beautiful!!!

[@tikitavi7120]

There is a painting at the DeYoung museum in San Francisco of a beautiful young woman looking directly into your eyes. I can't recall the title but it has always enchanted me.

[@StunningHistory]

Lovely story!

[@ecurewitz]

I remember seeing that in the Chicago Art Institute when I was in the city earlier this year

[@CarolineSaysStuff]

Wow! Art is so powerful! 💖

[@patzumach3425]

One of my favorites

[@kpd3308]

I'm not a big art guy, but that painting even speaks to me.

[@MrReillySocialStudiesClass]

Nice story. The world needs more art

[@donaldlampert331]

My Grandmother always said that the “Song of the Lark, was her favorite painting!!

[@mmp495]

Aspirations ❤❤❤

[@user-vr2tx4tt6b]

Beautiful.

[@hal4828]

art is what makes life worth it and meaningful. at least for me

[@nssquared9174]

Mine is "Moonlit Landscape with Bridge" by Aert van der Neer housed in the National Gallery of Art.

[@i123456987654]

this is my sign to go to chicago and visit this museum

[@jime6688]

It’s amazing when a physical thing can change your mood.

[@johnnynephrite6147]

I was once contemplating the end. I was depressed, my mom had died from cancer, and my wife had just filed for divorce, my dog died too. Then while sitting in McDonalds having a Quarter Pounder, some rando walked up, sat down and started eating my fries. I was like this guy has balls. He literally saved my life.