Cloisters and Met Trip, Christmas Eve and Day

[helwen]

Or December 24th and 25th, for those who don't celebrate Christmas.

The trip to NYC went very well. Traffic was dense but manageable. The Cloisters were lovely and we had fun learning how geeky we were -- Pagan was wondering when it came to be that she could identify the time period of paintings and tapestries by what the people were wearing, and fitzw had fun ID-ing things by the types of books represented in them. Magnus spent quite a lot of time looking at embroidery and weaving, as well as other things of course - he was our first-timer for this trip. At the Met he spent a lot of time in the Greek and Roman areas, at leasta to start. Odbald searched both the Cloisters and the Met for any ceramics he didn't have pictures of yet (where photography was allowed). I'm not sure what ellid's focus was at the Cloisters, but I know she checked out the costuming institute at the Met (private collection of 20th c. clothing on display), as well as many other things. I was saying at the end of the day, not having made it to any of the Asian displays this time, that next trip I might look at everything at the Met that _isn't_ medieval. Well, except most of the modern art stuff -- I can't seem to get much beyond Impressionism in general, although I also like Georgia O'Keefe's work.

At both places, P and I found quite a lot of interesting clothing details to look at, some of which fitzw also looked at. Mostly late 15th/early 16th. It was fitzw and my first time seeing the Unicorn tapestries since they've been cleaned, and so of course I had to get a new book on them. The weaving skill is so amazing on these that you can actually tell if a garment was supposed to look like velvet. They were also fond of moire and brocaded cloths. We were amazed by the "furry" hats as well -- thrummed, is our guess. And we saw an extant wall hanging that has looped pile areas on it, not just a flat tapestry (Cloisters, downstairs, on one of the supporting pillars).

And of course, we bought books. In addition to the new Unicorn Tapestries book, we got one on history of looms (lots of pictures too), one on medieval texiles (mostly photos - on sale for only 2.95), _Marking the Hours_ (on books of hours), Sforza hours (repro, not facsimile), Italian Illuminated Hours, Medieval Furniture (plans, how-to sections, different stuff from the previous medieval furniture book).

Got home rather late, but a good day!

We didn't go to the party last night, as fitzw wasn't feeling well all day, and as I could be a carrier we couldn't risk giving it to others, especially Una's brother, who is more susceptible to catching things. Had a nice chat with my mom, since when I call on Christmas Day she likes for me to spend that time talking with my brothers and niece. She's still doing well, and working on exercising and stretching again.

Read zaduzbina's post this morning. Overall a happy time I think, but sad/mad about their restaurant experience. Having experience with prejudicial behavior myself, I contributed a thought or two, mostly general not specific. Many others also posted. It's good to have supportive friends and family, for which I am myself thankful, today and every day.

fitzw's doing better today. My tummy's a bit unsettled, but managing all right so far. We may or may not go to the movies today. General plan for the first part of the day is to spend time in the studiolo on the looms. Yay!

Comments

[loosecanon.livejournal.com]

Perhaps next year I will be able to join you in Manhattan for the museums, they are far more pleasant when one has others to share discoveries with.
My favorite room is the intarsia studiolo, it is captivating.

Hugs to FitzW, hope he is feeling better soon, and that you dont come down with it.

Merry Monday, etc, with much love from both of us.

[helwen.livejournal.com]

Ah yes, the studiolo :) We didn't make it to there this time, nor to the nearby chapel room where we like to sing a few songs.

It would be great to explore together! I'm hoping to make it there in warmer weather in 2007. Perhaps two separate trips, one to each place.

I'll pass on your hugs to Fitzw. I'm having some Immune Support tea (Kumbucha) even as I write :)

Merry Monday!

[ellid.livejournal.com]

My focus at the Cloisters was the textiles downstairs in the treasury...did you see that Spanish cope? AMAZING dye work, and still a very rich deep blue. I also was fascinated by the cutwork on that tapestry on the wall - the cutwork was wool, and bore a strong resemblance to 19th century Turkey work. Fascinating stuff. I'd like to go back for the whole day this spring after the gardens have been planted - I'd love to see if they have a specific dye garden.

And it never ceases to amaze me just how small the Merode altarpiece is...I'd always thought it was a lot bigger. Go figure :)

[helwen.livejournal.com]

Ah yes, the Spanish cope :)

Oh, and P, Fitzw and I saw the Byzantine tunics at the Met, too. Linen with woven appliques in wool or silk. Can't remember. But what was truly striking was that one of them was not done as a flat plain weave linen. It had a tiny fine looped pile -- like uncut corduroy, only in linen. Crazy stuff. I wonder if any of the Byzantine-types in the SCA know about that? Not that you can buy linen that looks like that. The fabric had a narrow strip of flat plain weave on the sides, but looped on the front and back.

On the dye garden, I think the Cloisters does have one. I can check my book later.

[ellid.livejournal.com]

I saw one of the tunics several years ago...they're wonderful. I also found myself in the Egyptian wing at one point, and would you believe they have a *whole set of linens* from a tomb connected with Hatshepsut? It's very finely woven and in excellent condition, with the only sign of age being that it's very, very yellow. Otherwise it could have come off the loom yesterday.