Boston was frosted with snow while I slept.
Breakfast at the hotel; oatmeal, much improved with cinnamon, and a decent latte even though served in a glass. Mournful emo music, which I muted with my earbuds and my playlist for Prague, chiefly Mozart.
Off to the Museum of Fine Art. Waved my member card and swanned right on in. The Nubian gold exhibit was located right across from coat check, so after a brief orientation moment in the rotunda I examined what this exhibit had to offer. Onward to undertake my methodical survey of the museum’s holdings, after a brief consult with a volunteer about my interest in reliquaries and metal boxes, and a moment to swoon over sketches by Sargent like this one.
The docent recommended the Kunstcamera, a room for small treasures. Paydirt! This marvel of a 17C miniature portrait on copper reminded me why I’m doing oil paintings for my metal boxes on copper. Proven longevity.
Elaborate spoons, including this one with an enamel bowl with the image of a sly fox preaching to a flock of credulous geese. Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose, eh?
Along with multiple amber boxes and the adventures of Hercules carved in a wooden frame, there’s a pair of elaborately decorated Sicilian cabinets with sides paved with cabochons.
I’ll be back to soak in more of this room.
Onward. This striking portrait deliberately evokes 17C portrait gestures.
The Americana wing includes recreations of period rooms. This couple cracked me up.
I watched a series of short videos on carving and gilding that made me itch to try both. Trying to find my way back to the atrium for lunch, I came across a room of objects from an Egyptian tomb It was half an hour before I could move on. Excellent wall photos with accompanying text told the compelling story of a couple who were confidently prepared for their afterlife. Photos of the pre-restoration heap of detritus left by grave robbers contrasted with the carefully pieced together figures. The name was the kicker. “A middle Kingdom official named Djehutynakht (pronounced Ja-hooty-knocked )”. Loved this feisty trio of ladies. 
It took me until nearly 2pm to tear myself away, but I finally sat down to a decent lunch of cod cakes because—Boston. 
A brief respite, then I forged on to see more. Yeah, I’m talking about you, George Washington.
To be continued…
Leave a Reply