The Metropolitan Museum of Art, on the east side of Central Park, is always a favorite. We were there an hour and a half; we could have spent weeks and not seen all there was to see. The highlight for us was the Annenberg Collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist Masterpieces, through November 26. It is an annual event, this year with 53 paintings in four rooms.
Dick stood about one foot from Rembrant in this self-portrait from the museum's permanent collection. The image is compelling. This is why we go to museums - the electronic media cannot convey the experience of being with the masterpiece, the effect of light, lighting, the subtle textures of the paint, and mastery of the artist's brush. The museum's policy on photography is "Still photography for personal, non-commercial use only without flash and without tripod is permitted in the permanent collections." Under those conditions, it is surprising this photo came out at all. The postcards in the museum shop are much better images; I'd show you one of this painting, but it is copyrighted.
We walked about four blocks from the Metropolitan to Le Refuge, which Dick's mother recommended from a previous visit to NYC. We had a pleasant lunch at a table near the front window. On the way out we picked up complementary menus advertising their Bastille Day dinner. Including half a bottle of champagne, Bastille Day dinner comes to $47.50.
Across from the American Museum of Natural History, in fact, all along the west border of Cental Park, and all over Manhatten, these signs warn motorists of street cleaning. Note the juxtaposition of the broom and international no-parking symbol.
After retreiving our car, we went on to Becco, at 355 West 46 St, in the theater district, on a street crowded with restaurants. Becco specializes in pasta, and we had the three-pasta special. A man at a table near ours burst into music with his drum twice while we were there; the other eight people at his table, as well as the rest of the restaurant, enjoyed the interlude.