Monday, May 25, 2009 E
"Quiet Night"
I am missing Julia very much tonight.
This trip not over yet, I am already thinking about the next one. It will be one needing only one short plane trip, which will not tax Julia's long legs too much. (In this regard, I count myself fortunate to be short legged.) I'm wanting to have a balance of active museum days and at least one day as a more restful day. Perhaps a good concert or play can be found, around which to schedule the other days. Meanwhile, this trip's last day... I want to spend time with the 18th and 19th century European paintings (maybe some 20th century, too) and revisit the 'old friends' in the Egyptian collection. Looking at the museum map, I see I've forgotten the Asian department. We'll see how well the feet last! |
Needing to pass the time, I found something to draw. I bought a nice book, _Egyptian Art at Eton College: Selections from the Myers Museum_. Two photos of
the lovely pectoral ornament featuring Set and Horus are in it. The side I've only seen is actually the back side (which I've drawn above). The two devices to the outside of the two large eyes are channels for the neck cord to go through. The front side "inlays of lapis, carnelian, and feldspar (?) are mostly lost, having fallen out.." So that side, with its missing inlays, is not usually shown to us. The craftsmanship is amazing, consider all this detail is packed into a piece only 1 1/2in (3.8cm) high!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009 B
"Dining and Remembering"
I couldn't resist some badness, but the package of cookies will be tucked away for later... ...But why am I talking so much about food, you want to hear about my adventures in the museum, not merely its cafeteria. I returned to the Egyptian collection, and was surprised how many items I missed the last couple of times. I took many photos of Early Dynastic items, got better, clearer views of some items I'd photographed before, and in general, enjoyed my visit very much. |
Recumbent Lion
Old Kingdom, Dynasty 4, ca. 2575-2465 BCE
Granite, muzzle reconstructed, from Ihnasya el-Medina (Herakleopolis Magna)
Purchase, Anonymous Gift, in honor of Annette de la Renta, MMA 2000.485
(From info card) "This imposing lion once guarded the entrance to a pyramid-age sanctuary. As the most powerful predator of the steppes bordering the Nile Valley, the lion was a symbol of royalty from early on. The animal - especially the female - also embodied a number of deities. This work is the earliest extant example of a lifesized lion statue that is almost entirely preserved. It is excavated by the British Egypt Exploration Fund in 1891, at Herakleopolis Magna in the Nile Vally, southeast of the Faiyum oasis." |
I found info for a piece referencing Set, but sadly couldn't locate the piece:
I'm sure the gold and jewel inlaid 'motto clasp' declaring "may the hearts of the two gods (Horus and Seth) be content." is lovely... Note of 12-16-15, found it online! The two "Netjer" flags serve as frame for the "Ib" heart glyph and the "Hotep" glyph.
Standing Man, Dynasty 4 (ca. 2575-2465 BCE) Quartzite with traces of paint, probably from El Kab Morris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1962, MMA 62.200
Tuesday, May 26, 2009 C
"Ready to Go Home"
It is cold in my room tonight. The TV weather report says it is 57F degrees. They don't forecast storms, though, until I'm well out of the area. The local news here is full of the President's nomination of Sonia Sotomayer to the supreme court. She is from the Bronx, of which all New Yorkers can be proud. She has yet to be voted for, so it is not certain yet.
Thank you, New York, for being such a good host...
Wednesday, May 27, 2009 A
"Sleepless and Full of Thoughts"
One that is successful... (IMNSHO):
Seated Odalisque, Henri Matisse (French, 1869-1954) Oil on canvas, 1926 Gift of Adele R. Levy Fund, 1962, MMA 62.112
I leave with hope. The bristol board is calling me.
Oh, I'm sleepy...
11:40am AZ time
Wednesday, May 27, 2009 C
"I'm Back!"
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© Joan Lansberry