365 Days at the Met

August 8, 2025 I had to detour through the Islamic galleries to reach my destination and was abashed and disconcerted to note how unfamiliar they seemed.  Yes, I explored these several years ago, but still.... I would like to think the galleries have been rearranged, and that that explains my confusion. En route to gallery 643, though, I paused to look at a wonderful print of a beached whale surrounded by curious onlookers made by a Dutch artist in the first decade of the 17th century. It's the largest of several treatments of this subject and interesting, though on reflection not surprising, to note that the citizens of early modern Europe were as fascinated by these huge creatures as we are today. It's yet another reminder of how many treasures are to be found in the museum. According to the wall signage, the oil paintings in Gallery 643 include both preparatory sketches and finished works. Featuring lots of clouds, putti, and other figures in the sky, the works depict Biblic...