Quote:The Metropolitan Museum is one of the finest in the world. Brilliant collections of a variety of schools. I especially love the impressionist collection.
I I spent most of the day, trotting around -- and curled up in -- the Metropolitan. Is there anything that can really compare to it? Besides, there are always some pigeons hanging around at the top of the stone stairs that need a good chasing.
You know, whenever someone brings up the subject of impressionists (and don't they always - just when you least expect it?), they always go on and on about the French Impressionists. But let me tell you, we have some pretty impressive American impressionists on this side of the Atlantic. (Of course, they all studied in Paris,... but still!)
The Met had a wonderful exhibit called, "An American In Paris," with so many wonderful paintings by American Impressionists. There were some beautiful ones by Mary Cassatt, James Whistler - and my particular favorite - John Singer Sargeant. Here a just a few of the Sargent ones:
The famous Madame X painting
This romantic one of the Luxembourg Gardens in the evening. Notice how he captures the moonlight reflected in the water of the little pond.
And this one by Childe Hassam, that I kept coming back to again and again:
He so captured the feeling of a rainy day; that feeling that you get when you look out the window and see a gray sky, rain softly falling to the ground, puddles here and there, and the muted light.
Unfortunately, the American In Paris exhibit ends today. But there is also an exhibit of Louis Comfort Tiffany, his stained glass windows, mosaics, and beautiful paintings. Lots of the treasures that he kept at his country place, Laurelton Hall. Check it out, if you get the chance!
