Finally got to Manhattan (or as they say, the city, or maybe the City!) yesterday. The impetus for the trip was twofold; a yearly end-of-season shoe sale, and bronze doors from Florence at the Metropolitan Museum.
New York always presents me with a problem-there's too much to see and do and so little time. I've been missing it terribly lately; I spent so much time in DC (4 months) in 2007 that I curtailed New York trips for the rest of the year.
So I had a couple things on the agenda yesterday and because the weather precluded an early start, I wasn't able to do anything else. Of course every time I go to the Met for something specific I always look at my favorite pictures there and check out any other special exhibits that interest me. The Met is an exhausting place, though; if you don't pace yourself you end up exhausted and burnt out; the former is ok but the latter is not. (If you can't remember the art that you saw, you're burnt out.) The other problem is the museum shop; it's possible to spend a couple days in the bookstore (I didn't get any pictures there-clearly a goal for my next visit) alone, and then there's the jewelry, home decor, note cards, and posters.
I took a lot of pictures, which really slowed me down, and the low light meant that I really needed a tripod to get good shots. I took some pictures of art that did turn out, but I found myself looking at the architecture in a new way-I was inspired to capture the many interesting architectural features both small and large. Unfortunately many of those shots did not make the final cut, although I did include some mediocre ones just to document the experience.
So I had a couple things on the agenda yesterday and because the weather precluded an early start, I wasn't able to do anything else. Of course every time I go to the Met for something specific I always look at my favorite pictures there and check out any other special exhibits that interest me. The Met is an exhausting place, though; if you don't pace yourself you end up exhausted and burnt out; the former is ok but the latter is not. (If you can't remember the art that you saw, you're burnt out.) The other problem is the museum shop; it's possible to spend a couple days in the bookstore (I didn't get any pictures there-clearly a goal for my next visit) alone, and then there's the jewelry, home decor, note cards, and posters.
I took a lot of pictures, which really slowed me down, and the low light meant that I really needed a tripod to get good shots. I took some pictures of art that did turn out, but I found myself looking at the architecture in a new way-I was inspired to capture the many interesting architectural features both small and large. Unfortunately many of those shots did not make the final cut, although I did include some mediocre ones just to document the experience.
The trip itself-the pictures start out at the Shoe-Inn sale,
a twice-a-year extravaganza (the summer version is in the Hamptons-must try to get there this year) that is normally held in a ballroom or similar venue. I always have some luck at this sale, and this year I couldn't make it until the last day, so the already low prices were slashed to the bone. Usually these type of sales include only merchandise from the past season (in this case, winter-and yes, I know it's still winter outside, but check the stores-spring is here!), but Shoe-Inn empties their warehouse, so you never know what you'll find. I think I'll let the pictures tell my story; needless to say I had a blast and came away with shoes at ridiculous prices. (more about shoe shopping here.)
It was pouring rain when I left the sale, so I took a cab up to the Metropolitan, which I don't normally do, but it was well worth it, especially since I got one almost right away. Once I arrived at the Met, of course, the rain didn't matter because I was safely and warmly ensconced, but it prevented me from strolling up Fifth Ave, which is fun too, but I digress.
One of my first tasks upon arriving was to eat-pounding the marble floors on an empty stomach is not a good idea. I stopped at the Petrie Court Cafe, which was serving lunch and afternoon tea, but decided to try my luck at the cafeteria, and had a soup and salad lunch that hit the spot for much less.
On my way to check out the costume institute I stopped at the Temple of Dundur in the Egyptian wing; these pictures are probably the best of the day.
It was pouring rain when I left the sale, so I took a cab up to the Metropolitan, which I don't normally do, but it was well worth it, especially since I got one almost right away. Once I arrived at the Met, of course, the rain didn't matter because I was safely and warmly ensconced, but it prevented me from strolling up Fifth Ave, which is fun too, but I digress.
One of my first tasks upon arriving was to eat-pounding the marble floors on an empty stomach is not a good idea. I stopped at the Petrie Court Cafe, which was serving lunch and afternoon tea, but decided to try my luck at the cafeteria, and had a soup and salad lunch that hit the spot for much less.
On my way to check out the costume institute I stopped at the Temple of Dundur in the Egyptian wing; these pictures are probably the best of the day.
I did see the bronze panels from the doors from Florence, but because they are on special loan, photos are not permitted. It was a little crowded but not too bad, and the doors were beautiful to see up close, but I think they lost something in translation. I'll just have to go to Florence someday and see all ten(?) panels together in all their glory.
I made a quick stop at the Gubbio Studiolo-this is one of my mom's favorite spots and after hearing that some numbskull damaged it somehow, she expressed concern about its welfare. Luckily I was able to report that it's open and the intarsia looks as gorgeous as ever.
My next stop -the newly reopened galleries of 19th century European art. This has to be my favorite part of the museum; the Met has an embarassment of riches in this collection, thanks in part to the Havemeyers and Annenbergs, among others. Two of my favorite pictures were there in all their glory, The Bodmer Oak by Monet,
I made a quick stop at the Gubbio Studiolo-this is one of my mom's favorite spots and after hearing that some numbskull damaged it somehow, she expressed concern about its welfare. Luckily I was able to report that it's open and the intarsia looks as gorgeous as ever.
My next stop -the newly reopened galleries of 19th century European art. This has to be my favorite part of the museum; the Met has an embarassment of riches in this collection, thanks in part to the Havemeyers and Annenbergs, among others. Two of my favorite pictures were there in all their glory, The Bodmer Oak by Monet,
and Mada Primavesi, by Klimt.
I strolled through the galleries and absorbed many by Monet, Manet, Van Gogh, Latour, Courbet, Bonnard, Degas, Renoir, Sargent, etc.
Next stop-the mother of all museum stores, encompassing all one needs in a museum store, from the kitschy to the tasteful, as well as the informative and beautiful. They have all the requisite tchokes (Yiddish spelling?), but also jewelry, scarves and home decor inspired by the art objects. Great browsing! Posters and prints, along with an impressive kids department, are upstairs, but the best is the bookstore. It's hard to describe, but the space is set up in categories, both geographic (Ancient Roman, Asian, etc.)and thematic (fashion, textiles, architecture, artist monographs, etc). Sections for books on NYC and those from current exhibitions are in the front, and in the back, three loaded sale tables groaning with books.
Paradise!
I was pretty frugal this trip; I bought some Christmas cards and two books on sale, however my browsing was unlimited and very enjoyable. I'm always on the lookout for potential gifts for friends and family, and I saw several possibilities.
I am a little daunted by the task I seem to be taking on-going back to my favorite places in New York and documenting them with the camera. Yesterday's experience showed me that stopping for pictures adds a lot of time and effort to the trip, but I am ready and willing to accept the challenge, so look for more NYC in the future.
Next stop-the mother of all museum stores, encompassing all one needs in a museum store, from the kitschy to the tasteful, as well as the informative and beautiful. They have all the requisite tchokes (Yiddish spelling?), but also jewelry, scarves and home decor inspired by the art objects. Great browsing! Posters and prints, along with an impressive kids department, are upstairs, but the best is the bookstore. It's hard to describe, but the space is set up in categories, both geographic (Ancient Roman, Asian, etc.)and thematic (fashion, textiles, architecture, artist monographs, etc). Sections for books on NYC and those from current exhibitions are in the front, and in the back, three loaded sale tables groaning with books.
Paradise!
I was pretty frugal this trip; I bought some Christmas cards and two books on sale, however my browsing was unlimited and very enjoyable. I'm always on the lookout for potential gifts for friends and family, and I saw several possibilities.
I am a little daunted by the task I seem to be taking on-going back to my favorite places in New York and documenting them with the camera. Yesterday's experience showed me that stopping for pictures adds a lot of time and effort to the trip, but I am ready and willing to accept the challenge, so look for more NYC in the future.
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