Scrolls, Photographs, and Lots of Post-Impressionism
Having spent the week so far reading and writing, and having absolutely nothing to write about but books and more books, I felt restless this morning. Despite the light but persistent rain, I decided to go to the Metropolitan Museum. I'm crazy about the cafeteria in the basement; the cheeseburgers are awful in just the right way, and the fries and onions aren't bad, either. It is high school, but without adolescents. I went and returned in taxis.
The museum was fairly busy. I hadn't been alone in it lately, and wandering about among old favorites without having to think was a pleasure, albeit one that I wouldn't want to repeat very often. Alone, I can stand in front of the vitrines just to the north of the grand staircase, upstairs, and gaze to my heart's content. The pieces of porcelain there arrayed are very pretty, but what makes them interesting is their globalism. The painting on a Japanese plate mimics a Chinese bowl, as does, in another instance, a Meissen saucer. Then there's the Chinese stuff that's made to look Western. Plates were the T-shirts of the eighteenth century, with everyone vying to have the right one from right source, thus encouraging knock-offs. No automation, no phones, no Internet, no container shipping - just human nature doing its thing.
Continue reading about my Met ramble at Portico.
Comments
While I have almost never done it (going to the Met alone), often when I'm there I wish I had : the attempt to pace yourself with that of another person's while ambling thru galleries can be a bore.
And I'm with you on the cafeteria: first rate food at reasonable prices.
Posted by: PPOQ | September 15, 2006 09:23 AM