I love the Met (plus some Chinese History)!

I made this ACEO based off a sketch that was inspired by a trip to the Met. I didn't snap a photo of it, but the helmet seems to be the same one as this stock image. Made with Prismacolor Color Pencil & Pen on 140lb Watercolor Paper.

I love the Met!

I recently had my fifth or sixth visit to my favorite museum.

The Met, more formally known as the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art, is one of those places that takes at least three visits to appreciate all of its treasures.  They constantly have new exhibitions and every time I go there's something different to discover.

This time, I went with a few friends to see one of those special exhibits and learn more about my family's Chinese heritage:

Age of Empires: Chinese Art of the Qin and Han Dynasties(221 B.C. – A.D. 220)
April 3 - July 16, 2017

For those of you who don’t know, Emperor Qin Shi Huang of the Qin Dynasty was the first ruler of a unified China (shortly followed by the Han Dynasty). Qin Shi Huang was the one who started building the Great Wall of China.  This special exhibit displayed some of the terracotta warriors, chariots, and weapons that were buried with the emperor in Xi’an.  

The money tree, made with real money!

Fun Fact: One of the most popular stories about this era is a wuxia novel series called, “The Legend of Qin” (秦时明月 - Qin’s Moon). It has been adapted into a film, a TV show, and a 3D cartoon.

The majority of the exhibit is filled with items from the golden age of the Han Dynasty. This was when China was experiencing prosperity and technological advances, such as the invention of paper. Some of the most striking pieces from this period were the dancers and musicians, a wine retriever (very clever device!), the princess’s burial suit made of jade, die for a wine game, and the money tree.

My favorite piece from the Age of Empires exhibit - the Female Musician Playing a Zither.

Another Fun Fact: The fall of the Han Dynasty led to the Three Kingdoms period, which has become famous through Romance of the Three Kingdoms, a historical novel that inspired tons of films, TV shows, video games (like Dynasty Warriors) and so on.

If you go see the Age of Empires exhibit, be sure to also look at Colors of the Universe: Chinese Hardstone Carvings (June 25,2016 - October 9, 2017).

Of course, the permanent collection of the Met is fabulous and I always learn something new. This visit I learned about fire-gilding on armor! 

Knights ridin' your way.

Here are some squirrels chillin’ on a gun.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to go see my regular stop at the room of Impressionist paintings. Monet! I miss you!

Other favorite things about the Met:

1. Donation based – Don’t be turned off by the recommended $25 donation per adult. If you really can’t swing it, you could also choose to not donate. However, give something if you can. The museum is completely worth it! Currently the Met has a budget deficit of about $15 million and may start chargingnon-New Yorkers (New Yorkers taxes already pay for the Met).
2. There are also two lesser known entrances if you want to avoid the long lines at main entrance.
3. It’s in Central Park, on the opposite side of another amazing museum (American Museum of Natural History). We usually end up having a sort of a picnic in the park before/after museum visits.
4. The galleries and exhibits are very beautifully done.
5. The Met also has two other locations, The Met Breuer (modern and contemporary art) and The Met Cloisters (Medieval European Art). Highly suggest the Cloisters.
6. You’ll probably recognize the Met because it’s been in a bajillion films.

If you're in town, definitely hit up the Met! The photos don't do it justice.

- Kim

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