Roo and I went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art yesterday. We stood in line for two hours to see the Alexander McQueen exhibit. Was it worth it? Yes, I think so -- but I would base that on getting to spend two hours chatting with one of my favorite people in the world, during the only time of year that I'm not worried about lesson plans or such. McQueen's worth is stunning, especially if you appreciate fabric construction and craftsmanship. I'm glad we went!
However, no phototaking was allowed in the exhibit, so I cannot show you the exquisite tailoring that we both liked, nor the dress I fell madly in love with. Alas. However, I did wander around the American Wing of the Met after Roo had to return home, and took some photos to inspire my writing work. I thought you might like to see them!
I love the American Wing. The light in its courtyard is amazing.
This is probably my favorite shot of the entire afternoon. I think it looks like a still from a Jane Austen movie. (This is very high self-praise from me, indeed).
Roo and I used to play a game when we went to museums, called, roughly, "What Would You Take?" In this game, we each get to choose one item to take with us from the museum. As you can tell, it is a very complicated game. Anyway, this table is my usual choice from the Met. These photos do not do it justice, but I love it. I believe it belonged to a Vanderbilt, and -- get this -- the pattern on top is how the night sky would have looked in the Northern Hempisphere on the night of his birth. Awesome.
The side detail of the globe is so pretty. The photos doesn't capture how sparkly it is.
Sometimes I choose this painting, though, when I'm feeling less sparkly.
But probably my most practical choice would be the entirety of the Frank Lloyd Wright Room in the Met. It kills me every time I walk past this that I can't just go in, sit down and read.
Although my recent couch obsession (I'm buying a new one) lured me to both of these. One is a discrete, lovely lounge.
The other a gargantuan yellow... thing. (Those things that look like chairs on the end? They're ATTACHED.)
An inadvertant theme popped up in my photos: Women Hold Things Up. Fireplaces.
Tablets.
More fireplaces.
Babies. (I like this one a lot -- the tag said that the woman who painted this was the only female Antebellum painter of note, and that she painted this of herself and her husband and son).
England. There was a wonderful note explaining that this was painted just as Victoria took the throne, and the artist had the difficult task of trying to make her look regal and serious and dependable while also not insulting her by making her seem too old or ugly.
This woman got worn out and had to lie down. Forever.
And this one looks grumpy, possibly because she doesn't have anything to hold up, possibly because she didn't get a shirt.
The Met is beautiful and fun, with its dozens of rooms circling around each other, leading you, inevitably, to the Egyptian Temple (I've been to the Museum 40 times, I've walked in the exact opposite direction of that temple, and I still always see it, every visit). These photos are just a tiny, tiny glimpse of all the wonders within. I can't get behind paying $25 (TWENTY FRICKING FIVE DOLLARS) frequently to go there, but I got my money's worth this time. I hope you'll visit, and find a few things here and there that you like or admire, too.
As for me, I bumped into this lady, the Goddess of Research, (not kidding) and it seemed to me a sign that I'm on the right track with my writing.
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