Stuck in Portland during Winter Break? Head to the Portland Art Museum to see various exhibits the museum is offering. Some exhibitions include: ‘The Question of Hope’ which includes photographs that capture the limited resources of the Northwest, and The 2013 Contemporary Northwest Art Awards.  

The two exhibitions to check out first include ‘Samurai,’  the armor from Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller collection, and the Masterworks/ Portland Series presentation of ‘Three Studies of Lucian Freud.’  

Beginning Dec. 21, the Portland Art Museum will exhibit the most expensive artwork sold at an auction, Frances Bacon’s  ’Three Studies of Lucian Freud,’ all the way through March 30. The work is considered to be one of Bacon’s finest portraits, a perception of Freud, noted artist and grandson of Sigmund Freud. Both Bacon and Freud shared a close friendship and were companions in post-war London. The two artists painted each other on many occasions for more than 50 years. Bacon completed a dozen different portraits of Freud.

Bacon’s triptych is considered an emotional and painterly summary of their friendship. The ‘Three Studies of Lucian Freud’ places the subject inside what is a crystalline frame that defines an emotional and architectural space too. Each panel conveys a different viewpoint.

The next exhibit to observe is the ‘Samurai’ collection which includes 22 suits of armor, 46 helmets (approximately weighing up to 11 pounds), ceremonial jackets, horse gear, swords, arrows and many more war paraphernalia that date back to the 14th through the 19th century.

The collection will exhibit three life-sized horse mannequins that add life and energy to the exhibit. Visitors will also be able to enjoy film series of  Samurai inspired movies. The films include: ‘Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai on Dec. 20 at 7 p.m., ‘Yojimbo’ on Dec. 21 and 22 at 4:30 p.m. and ‘A Fistful of Dollars’ on Dec. 21 at 8 p.m.  

To attend any of these exhibitions, admission will cost $20 for adults, and hours of the museum are: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sat from 10 a.m. till 5 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. till 8 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. till 5 p.m.