The New Greek and Roman Gallery at the Met

[Daniel]

I've been anticipating the opening of this gallery for months and months. For those of us who love history and art, this is a big deal. It amounts to the restoration of a grand vision. From cafeteria to magnificent classicism (the new cafeteria is located downstairs and is a vast improvement over the old one). If you are thinking of taking a trip to NYC, put this this on your list of things to do.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/20/arts/design/20anci.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin


Classical Treasures, Bathed in a New Light

By MICHAEL KIMMELMAN
Published: April 20, 2007
The other day, apropos of the Metropolitan Museum’s fine, new light-washed galleries for Greek and Roman art, a friend e-mailed to me a passage by Virgil. In it Aeneas, fleeing the Trojan War, arrives in Carthage and finds a temple for Juno under construction. He pushes open the temple’s big bronze doors (“which made the hinges groan,” Virgil reports) and “for the first time he dared to hope for life.” He’s astounded by the skill of the craftsmen and by the nobility and precision of a painting of the war. He starts to cry.

“It was only a picture, but, sighing deeply, he let his thoughts feed on it, and his face was wet with a stream of tears,” Virgil writes.

The power of ancient art has to do with its ability, as my friend put it, “to embody great acts and communicate their human dimension.” Rome became the model for Western culture from the Renaissance through the Enlightenment.

[dsdrane]

Dang you, Daniel...dang you all to heck!!

Ok, so it's absolutely gorgeous here (in SoFlo) today -- fluffy, white clouds dotting blue skies, light coastal breeze, high 70s, etc., etc...

and now Daniel stomps my buzz with this Met article.

Today, I miss NYC.

:(

[Daniel]

Today, I miss NYC.

:(

At least for a visit.

We can meet next to the Chariot that hasn't been on view for the last- I don't know- what- fifteen years? And then have lunch and then wander through Byzantium or Old World Masters, of even Ancient Egypt.

Bring Pablo. We'll double date!

[u-dog]

Can I come too?

[Daniel]

Udog- The more the merrier! I'm all for that. Nothing like a little field trip. :love:

[davidb]

My partner and I will be there Memorial Day weekend. We'll definitely make the trip to the Met

_________________________________________
What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.

--Emerson

[dsdrane]

At least for a visit.

We can meet next to the Chariot that hasn't been on view for the last- I don't know- what- fifteen years? And then have lunch and then wander through Byzantium or Old World Masters, of even Ancient Egypt.

Bring Pablo. We'll double date!


You are so on! It's not a question of if, but when. Perhaps this Fall.... J'adore Gotham in Autumn!

Re: Pablo...Daniel, I'm starting to doubt whether Pablo cares for me anymore. I know it sounds crazy, but [sniff] ...I wasn't going to say this, um, but...I FOUND HAY IN HIS JEANS BACK POCKET!!

*sobs uncontrollably*
:'(

[andrewlittle]

You are so on! It's not a question of if, but when. Perhaps this Fall.... J'adore Gotham in Autumn!

Re: Pablo...Daniel, I'm starting to doubt whether Pablo cares for me anymore. I know it sounds crazy, but [sniff] ...I wasn't going to say this, um, but...I FOUND HAY IN HIS JEANS BACK POCKET!!

*sobs uncontrollably*
:'(

WE know that's a sure sign of ... of ...

Wait a minute! What the hell is that a sign of?

Perhaps you're right, you're just crazy.

Besides, what are you doing checking out his back pocket anyway? Perhaps, if you shifted your attentions to a different pocket, you wouldn't have to worry so much. Or, at least, try checking out his pockets while he's wearing the damn jeans.

And - before you have have to embarrass yourself for giving me thanks for the sage advice - you're welcome.

[Pablo Rafael]

Re: Pablo...Daniel, I'm starting to doubt whether Pablo cares for me anymore. I know it sounds crazy, but [sniff] ...I wasn't going to say this, um, but...I FOUND HAY IN HIS JEANS BACK POCKET!!

*sobs uncontrollably*
:'(

David,

I can explain the hay!
There wasn't any hay.
No, It wasn't hay; it was straw; not the same thing!
I mean you know, pants you buy at Wal Mart always have hay in the pockets. It's where they're made in Bangladesh. There is hay there.
No, no I mean, they weren't my jeans; they belonged to some other guy!
(Wait, that doesn't sound good!)
Don't cry. You know I can't handle it when you cry. You know you're the only one for me. All those other guys, they mean nothing; they're just meaningless flings. I just can't take it when you're upset. (Plus I hate sleeping on the couch.)

Tu (one and only) Amigo, Pablo

[dsdrane]

:'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(

[Pablo Rafael]

David,

It wasn't my fault. It was Andy and Dave, (the OTHER Dave). They pressured me into it. You know how persuasive they can be. It's all their fault. Remember how easily Dave pushed his way into our double date. I'm totally innocent, a victim here.

Tu Amigo, Pablo

[u-dog]

Pablo!! I thought we were friends ?!?!? and now this vicious false witness. I'm crushed.

[andrewlittle]

David,

It wasn't my fault. It was Andy and Dave, (the OTHER Dave). They pressured me into it. You know how persuasive they can be. It's all their fault. Remember how easily Dave pushed his way into our double date. I'm totally innocent, a victim here.

Tu Amigo, Pablo

Take it easy, u-dog, I said my dander is up. Geez.

Pablo, was that snivelling I just witnessed.

You blamed your relentless and insatiable sexual appetite on a gay man, who is happily and faithfully married to his loving wife, and the straight guy who is totally afraid of any touch (oh, perhaps I revealed too much - that doesn't make me look good)?

Pressured you into it? The way you went after that farmer it's a wonder you didn't have hay in a great many more places. (Oh, damn. I said I would never tell anyone.) Well, Pablo, you made me do it. It's your own damn fault. If you had an ounce of self-restraint this kind of thing wouldn't happen.

[Pablo Rafael]

Dave & Andy,

I'm sorry! Really, it's nothing personal. I was just getting desperate for an excuse. (And you know I never think anything through!)

Tu Amigo, Pablo


P.S. And Andy, I could have self restraint anytime (if I wanted to.)

[Daniel]

Was that hay? Or making hay? Harry Hay? He was in your pocket? Isn't that like a hankerchief 70's thing...you know....a coded top bottom thing?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Hay

Methinks you are all smoking HEMP.

Christ! It's all Greek to me!

[andrewlittle]

Shame! Shame! Shame! Derailing a thread about some old doodads in a building somewhere just to carry on about various and sundry kinds of grass is disrespectful to the person who started the thread - whoever the hell that was.

[Daniel]

So. You want to see what's in the new galleries but can't get there. Try this interactive feature at the NYTimes. It's very cool! I ran over to hubby "you havvvve to seeeee this!" No....I was not squealing like a girl. I was vocalizing.

My favorite is the "Youthful Hercules" tab. Boy oh boy.

Andy....the three graces thumbnail is for you buddy. (wink)

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/19/arts/20070419_MET_GRAPHIC.html

[u-dog]

but young hercules isn't my type.

[andrewlittle]

So. You want to see what's in the new galleries but can't get there. Try this interactive feature at the NYTimes. It's very cool! I ran over to hubby "you havvvve to seeeee this!" No....I was not squealing like a girl. I was vocalizing.

My favorite is the "Youthful Hercules" tab. Boy oh boy.

Andy....the three graces thumbnail is for you buddy. (wink)

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/19/arts/20070419_MET_GRAPHIC.html

In all seriousness, if we can keep the immature lads corralled long enough to be serious, I would love to see these galleries in person. It all looks fascinating. Thanks, Daniel.

[Oh, dear - what's happening - I'm regressing] And thanks for the Graces, Daniel. Thankfully I'm attracted not just to physical beauty and voluptuous curves, but also to mind and personality. A nice set of buns doesn't make up for what seems like the Graces' fixed attitudes and lack of warmth. I will just continue to admire them from afar - well, maybe not too far.

[dsdrane]

In all seriousness, if we can keep the immature lads corralled long enough to be serious, I would love to see these galleries in person. It all looks fascinating.

A nice set of buns....

...and he calls us immature....

Hmmph! The nerve!

It's a travesty of a sham of a charade, I tell you.

[Dash]

I'm so desperately in need of a vacation. And, I've been thinking of going to New York.

(I was originally thinking Austria, and then I remembered...:laughing: ...I can't afford that!.... :injured: Sigh...)

Those panoramas of the museum...when I look at them, all my oceans go still and calm...blood pressure drops... I love museums! :smurf:

[Daniel]

I'm so desperately in need of a vacation. And, I've been thinking of going to New York.

(I was originally thinking Austria, and then I remembered...:laughing: ...I can't afford that!.... :injured: Sigh...)

Those panoramas of the museum...when I look at them, all my oceans go still and calm...blood pressure drops... I love museums! :smurf:

Exactly how I feel. It's my santuary.

Come and visit. I'd love to show you around.

[Dash]

:D Okay, I'm hardly a gentleman, but...

My favorite view in the new Greek and Roman Gallery is of the "Marble Head of a Youth". Especially the 15 degrees or so from the middle of the back of his head towards the right ear.

:lol: My old co-worker use to say I was just a really smart 12-year old. So true!!

[Daniel]

:lol: My old co-worker use to say I was just a really smart 12-year old. So true!!

Hubby and I haved joked that he is 8 and I am 7- in age that is. Never going to grow up it seems.