Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Butterfly Eye


I am always lost in the Met. The directional signs are clear and helpful, the gallery attendants are numerous and patient, but I never know where I am and see some things six times and some things not at all. Above, the Temple of Dendur is blockaded behind its indoor moat while a private party is prepared at incalculable cost. A lion goddess (below) can afford to be patient after all that she has seen. Maybe that is the one common quality of all objects that have ended up in museums, their mute resignation.