New York, Pretty in Green
Stopping for Art
New York at its best—the trees in their new green and bed of tulips, with everyone out on a balmy day under the clearest blue ever. En route to Italy, we’re hopscotching over—a stop here and one in London—to see art and friends. The John Singer Sargent exhibition at the Metropolitan is a gem. Not only the famous portraits but many other less known fascinating works. Madame X, of course, reigns, but much else to see as well. I was noticing especially how skilled he was at painting hands.
Tomorrow we will get to see the Frick, open now after a three year remodel. Then, off tomorrow night to London. More on that later.
We loved the French bistro Le Gratin and also enjoyed Chambers, both in the neighborhood of our hotel. We are at The Beekman, an historic place that makes me feel like Edith Wharton might be having tea in the atrium bar.
It's not just his skill with painting the physiology of hands. As accomplished as Sargent was with them, it's their gestures that usually floor me. He said so much with pose, gesture and relationship, all contributing what I often think of as a languid quality to his portraits, especially the women. Such a nice account of your visit.
Thanks for the inspiration, will have to check out the exhibit at the Met!