Update: The New Criterion critic agreed with me about the arrangement!


Two things.

First, a Visit to the Met:

Saw Raphael's Colonna altarpiece (left) including the predella. All the pieces are assembled in one place for the first time since the 17th century. The predella pieces are quite something (as of course is the main section.)

I disagreed with the Sun reviewer who thought all the pieces should have been hung in their original positions. That wouldn't have worked at the Met where they don't have special exhibit charges or timed entry to special exhibits. It would've just been too crowded to get a good look at the different pieces.

The Astor Court is pretty cool too...

If anyone wants to build me a Chinese scholar's garden feel free.

So many people were crowding the Rembrandt and His Circle exhibit that I resolved to come back to see it on a weekday. (I was there on Sunday afternoon.)

And I took another look at my favorite parts of the Girodet exhibit.

Second:

Dollars to donuts: if she's reading Cornel West she works for a Democrat.