Beautiful tribute to one of the best places in the world. Last time I was in New York I spent something like 7 hours there. I had spent the year reading pretty extensively about American art in particular and then suddenly there they all were in front of me. It took me two hours to get to the cafe because I kept getting sidetracked. I stopped in a hallway to text my friend, a pretty random hallway, and I looked up and there was a nearly complete copy of Songs of Innocence and Experience on the wall where hundreds of people were just passing through. I was basically close to divine frenzy. One of the best days of my life.
If the permanent collection wasn’t enough, the Met has great temporary exhibitions. I had the first date with the woman who became my wife at one. I guess you could say I fell in love with her and J.M.W. Turner that day.
In the two-and-a-half years I lived in NYC, I made a systematic attempt to look at every piece in every room at the Met. I very nearly succeeded, except that there were a couple rooms blocked off that I hadn't visited by the time I left. But it was one of the greatest journeys of my life.
Also, you probably don't need me to tell you this, but visible storage is a great place to let the imagination wander.
The idea of working daily in the Met is enticing. To make that treasure trove your regular place of creation and business.
But, alas, I live very far away.
I have only been there once, with my Mother, years ago, to see the Vatican exhibit which was on tour. One day was a fraction, a small fraction, of what that Museum, with justice, demands of us. I hope to go back some day. I think it needs a week, just to get acquainted.
Beautiful tribute to one of the best places in the world. Last time I was in New York I spent something like 7 hours there. I had spent the year reading pretty extensively about American art in particular and then suddenly there they all were in front of me. It took me two hours to get to the cafe because I kept getting sidetracked. I stopped in a hallway to text my friend, a pretty random hallway, and I looked up and there was a nearly complete copy of Songs of Innocence and Experience on the wall where hundreds of people were just passing through. I was basically close to divine frenzy. One of the best days of my life.
If the permanent collection wasn’t enough, the Met has great temporary exhibitions. I had the first date with the woman who became my wife at one. I guess you could say I fell in love with her and J.M.W. Turner that day.
In the two-and-a-half years I lived in NYC, I made a systematic attempt to look at every piece in every room at the Met. I very nearly succeeded, except that there were a couple rooms blocked off that I hadn't visited by the time I left. But it was one of the greatest journeys of my life.
Also, you probably don't need me to tell you this, but visible storage is a great place to let the imagination wander.
Thank you! Relevant: https://www.firstthings.com/article/2023/11/the-men-behind-the-met
The idea of working daily in the Met is enticing. To make that treasure trove your regular place of creation and business.
But, alas, I live very far away.
I have only been there once, with my Mother, years ago, to see the Vatican exhibit which was on tour. One day was a fraction, a small fraction, of what that Museum, with justice, demands of us. I hope to go back some day. I think it needs a week, just to get acquainted.
Wonderful, I now feel inspired to visit the Met! Hopefully you'll write on some Egyptian stuff on your Points of Beauty series.