ART + ARCHITECTURE inclined toward an organized show at this point in the day , then choose a wing with some highlights that interest you . And dare to get lost ! You will happen upon unexpected treasures that will absolutely delight you . I always amble over to the New American Wing and see Paul Manship ’ s Group of Bears .
The sculpture is pure fun and never ceases to enchant . Also in this wing is the period Frank Lloyd Wright room complete with the oak furniture Wright designed for the space . Nearby there is the Studiolo from the Ducal Palace in Gubbio . This circa 1480 wood-paneled sanctum of an aristocratic Italian intellectual is a pristine example of the woodinlay technique known as intarsia .
The intricate trompe l ’ oeil effects appear to be cabinets filled with scientific apparati , leather-bound books and unusual musical instruments . Gorgeous . Then , on to the Asian Wing where there is a facsimile of an authentic Ming Dynasty garden from Suzhou , complete with a small koi pond . And the nearby Japanese reading room has a square window with a sublime view down onto the Temple of Dendur .
Lastly , the small but exquisite Hall for Modern Photography has exhibitions that change every few months and
Paul Manship , Group of Bears . 1932 ; cast 1963 . Bronze , 88 x 72 x 56 inches . Photo : Nicole Marti . Via Flickr .
that draw upon the Met ’ s impressive permanent collection of contemporary photography . Photographs by Thomas Struth , Rineke Dijkstra , Richard Prince , Stephen Shore , among many others , reveal why photography as a medium is at the core of contemporary art .
These are just a few spots at the Met that I find particularly beguiling , but the real fun is in stumbling upon the exquisite hidden corners of the museum that resonate with you and leave you intrigued and charmed .
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